Genetic mapping of Alzheimer’s brain changes in diverse US and Brazilian groups
Official title: Whole Genome Sequencing and Admixture Analyses of Neuropathologic Traits in Diverse Cohorts in USA and Brazil
Funded at Rush University Medical Center · NIH-11399651 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses whole genome sequencing of autopsied brains—especially from people of African ancestry and mixed-ancestry Brazilians—to find genetic changes linked to Alzheimer’s and related brain damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rush University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $679,014 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AG075927-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399651 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are people with Alzheimer’s or related dementias (or their families) who are willing to participate in research and consider brain donation, especially those of African or admixed Brazilian ancestry.
✕Less likely to help
People without ties to the involved cohorts or who cannot provide consent for tissue donation or clinical data are unlikely to participate or benefit directly from this grant.
What this research studies
Researchers will sequence the full genomes from thousands of donated brains and combine those data with detailed neuropathology and clinical information. They will focus on admixed populations, including people of African ancestry and Brazilians with mixed European, African, and Native ancestry, to find ancestry-related genetic signals. The team will use admixture mapping and compare findings across cohorts in Sao Paulo and multiple US sites to find genes and proteins tied to Alzheimer’s pathologic traits. Results aim to reveal disease drivers that were missed when studies included mostly non-Latino white participants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could uncover genetic targets that improve diagnosis, risk prediction, or lead to new treatments that better serve diverse populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous multi-omics and sequencing work found molecular drivers in largely non-Latino white groups, but applying these methods in African ancestry and admixed Brazilian populations is newer and less explored.
Where this research is happening
-
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bennett, David Alan — Rush University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Bennett, David Alan
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.