Genetic clues to Alzheimer's disease in Jewish and Arab communities
Official title: Genetic Studies of Alzheimer's Disease in Jewish and Arab Populations
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-11596649 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how genes influence Alzheimer's risk in Jews from the Middle East–North Africa and related groups to uncover variants that may affect disease in diverse populations.
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 start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $43,740 |
| NIH project number | 3U01AG081230-04S3 |
| Project ID | NIH-11596649 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals of MENA Jewish descent living in Israel who may contribute genetic data and health information.
✕Less likely to help
People without participation or with unrelated ancestry are unlikely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
Researchers will study genetic data from Jews in Israel to find gene variants linked to Alzheimer's. The project uses groups that are genetically distinct to discover clues that may be missed in mostly European populations. Findings could reveal new genes and pathways involved in Alzheimer’s and how ancestry and environment shape risk. The work aims to build a more inclusive picture of the disease and inform future personalized approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new targets for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment tailored to diverse populations.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has linked AD genes like ACE and SORL1 in non-European groups, supporting the value of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Farrer, Lindsay a. — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Farrer, Lindsay a.
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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.