Genetic links to Alzheimer's in Jewish and Arab communities
Genetic Studies of Alzheimer's Disease in Jewish and Arab Populations
Researchers are looking for genetic differences that affect Alzheimer's risk in Jewish and Arab people from 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-11391532 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be asked to provide a blood or saliva sample and basic medical and family history so researchers can compare genomes from Jewish and Arab people in Israel. The team will use genetic sequencing and genome-wide scans that work well in more genetically similar groups to find risk variants that are rare or missed in large European-centered studies. This project builds on prior discoveries in these communities (for example ACE and SORL1) and compares genetic patterns alongside lifestyle and environmental information. Results will be analyzed by investigators at Boston University to pinpoint variants linked to Alzheimer's in these populations.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Jewish or Arab adults living in Israel with ancestry from the Middle East or North Africa, especially those with Alzheimer's or a family history of dementia.
Not a fit: People without Jewish or Arab MENA ancestry or whose dementia is driven entirely by non-genetic causes may not directly benefit from findings focused on these populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal genetic risk factors specific to these groups that help improve diagnosis, risk prediction, or point toward new treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Previous genetic studies in these same communities have identified Alzheimer's-related genes like ACE and SORL1, so this population-focused approach has produced discoveries before.
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.