Exploring a genetic variant linked to Alzheimer's risk in African Americans
Investigating an African American-specific APOE genetic variant using hiPSC
This study is looking at a specific gene change that may raise the risk of Alzheimer's disease in people of African descent, and it aims to understand how this change affects the disease by creating special cells in the lab to see how they behave.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Arizona State University-Tempe Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tempe, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10985434 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates a specific genetic variant, APOE R145C, that has been found to increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in individuals of African ancestry. The study aims to understand how this variant affects the onset and progression of AD by using advanced techniques in stem cell bioengineering and genome editing. Researchers will create human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) with the APOE R145C variant and analyze how it influences cellular processes related to Alzheimer's. This approach will help uncover the biological mechanisms behind the increased risk of AD in African Americans.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include African American individuals aged 21 and older who are either non-demented or diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
Not a fit: Patients who are not of African ancestry or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and targeted interventions for Alzheimer's disease in African American populations.
How similar studies have performed: While research on genetic variants related to Alzheimer's is ongoing, this specific investigation into the APOE R145C variant in African Americans is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Tempe, United States
- Arizona State University-Tempe Campus — Tempe, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brafman, David a — Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
- Study coordinator: Brafman, David a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.