Genetic risk for Alzheimer's in people of African ancestry
Characterizing the Genetic Risk for Alzheimer Disease in African and Admixed African-American Ancestries
This project looks for genes and blood markers tied to Alzheimer's in African and African American people to help improve diagnosis and care.
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 ID | NIH-11199001 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will collect blood for whole-genome sequencing and measure Alzheimer-related and cardiovascular biomarkers in about 9,000 people of African ancestry (roughly 5,000 African and 4,000 African American participants). A subgroup of 200 Nigerian participants will also receive brain MRI scans, and people who are cognitively unimpaired or have mild cognitive impairment will be followed about four years later for repeat testing. The work combines genetic data, blood markers, and imaging within the Alzheimer's Disease Sequencing Project to find risk patterns that may be unique in these communities. If you join, you may be asked to give blood, share health history, and attend follow-up visits.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults of African descent, including African and African American individuals who are cognitively unimpaired or have mild cognitive impairment, are the main candidates for participation.
Not a fit: People who are not of African ancestry or those seeking immediate changes to their treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefits from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could provide more accurate genetic risk information and support earlier detection and better-targeted care for African and African American patients.
How similar studies have performed: Large genetic studies in European-ancestry groups have identified AD risk genes, and earlier work in African Americans showed different risk patterns (e.g., APOE, ABCA7), but large-scale whole-genome and biomarker efforts in African ancestry populations remain limited.
Where this research is happening
Coral Gables, United States
- 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
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.