Genetic Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease in African and African-American Ancestries
Official title: Characterizing the Genetic Risk for Alzheimer Disease in African and Admixed African-American Ancestries
Funded at University of Miami School of Medicine · NIH-11595889 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how genes influence Alzheimer’s risk in people of African and mixed African-American backgrounds to improve understanding and prevention.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $52,769 |
| NIH project number | 3U01AG084545-03S7 |
| Project ID | NIH-11595889 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults of African ancestry or African American heritage, including those with mild cognitive impairment or normal cognition, who are enrolled in AD diversity cohorts and able to participate in long-term follow-up.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without African ancestry or those unable to participate in longitudinal visits or provide biospecimens are less likely to directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to collect and analyze genetic data, blood biomarkers, and brain MRI from thousands of individuals of African descent to understand why Alzheimer’s disease may affect these groups differently. Using whole genome sequencing, plasma biomarkers, and cardiovascular markers, the study will follow participants over several years to observe changes related to cognitive status. By integrating diverse ancestry data with imaging and biomarker information, the team hopes to uncover ancestry-specific risk factors and improve personalized risk prediction for Alzheimer's disease. The work will build on existing cohorts and expand representation in the Alzheimer's Disease Sequencing Project to better inform future interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Learn more about how genetics influence Alzheimer’s risk in African and African-American populations, which could lead to better risk prediction and tailored prevention strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have identified ancestry-specific risk patterns and biomarkers, and this project aims to expand and refine those findings with larger, more diverse data.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Miami School of Medicine
Coral Gables, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Griswold, Anthony John — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Griswold, Anthony John
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Mitochondrial energy problems in men and women with Alzheimer’s disease
This grant tests how mitochondria differ between men and women with Alzheimer's disease to find ways to tailor care.
-
Mitochondrial energy problems in people with Alzheimer’s and related brain diseases
A research effort is looking at how mitochondrial energy problems differ between men and women with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and what this means for future care.
-
Understanding Alzheimer's Genetic Risk in African and Admixed African-American People
A study looks at genetic factors and biomarkers to understand why Alzheimer's disease affects African and admixed African-American communities differently.
-
Genetic Risk for Alzheimer’s in African and admixed African-American communities
Researchers will study how genes influence Alzheimer’s risk in people of African ancestry to better understand why the disease affects diverse communities differently.
-
Understanding genetic risk for Alzheimer’s in African and admixed African-American communities
Researchers are studying how genetic factors influence Alzheimer’s risk in people of African ancestry to better understand why dementia affects these groups differently.
-
Genetic risk for Alzheimer’s Disease in African and admixed African-American people
Researchers are studying how genes contribute to Alzheimer's risk in people of African ancestry to improve understanding and potential future care.
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.