Genetic causes of Alzheimer’s in Jewish and Arab populations
Genetic Studies of Alzheimer's Disease in Jewish and Arab Populations
Researchers are looking for genes that raise Alzheimer’s risk in Jewish and Arab people with roots in the Middle East and North Africa.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11195117 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project will collect genetic information from Jewish and Arab individuals who trace their ancestry to the Middle East and North Africa, many living in Israel. Scientists will search DNA for population-specific or rare gene variants linked to Alzheimer’s that may be missed in studies of European ancestry. The team will combine genetic data with lifestyle and environmental information and use genome-wide analyses and comparisons to other groups. The goal is to find new risk genes and better understand how genetics and environment interact in these communities.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults of Jewish or Arab MENA (Middle East and North Africa) ancestry, including people with Alzheimer’s and cognitively normal controls, especially those living in Israel or with Israeli family roots.
Not a fit: People without Jewish or Arab MENA ancestry or those seeking an immediate change in their clinical care are unlikely to receive direct benefits from this genetic discovery-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal new genetic risk factors that improve diagnosis, risk prediction, and point to targets for treatments tailored to Jewish and Arab populations.
How similar studies have performed: Previous genetic studies in these Israeli Jewish and Arab groups contributed to discoveries such as SORL1 and ACE associations and helped identify novel AD genes in trans-ethnic analyses, so this approach has had prior success.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston University Medical Campus — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Farrer, Lindsay a. — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Farrer, Lindsay 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.