Health and Aging Brain Study for Diverse Populations
Official title: The Health & Aging Brain Study - Health Disparities (HABS-HD)
Funded at University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr · NIH-11412481 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large study is exploring how Alzheimer’s biomarkers relate to aging in Black and other diverse adults to improve understanding and future treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Worth, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $32,984,606 |
| NIH project number | 5U19AG078109-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11412481 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21+ from diverse backgrounds, especially African American and Hispanic communities, who may have or be at risk for AD/ADRD.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without access to study sites or who do not meet biomarker or demographic criteria may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project follows adults 21 and older to examine biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease across diverse populations, focusing on how biology, environment, and sociocultural factors interact. It uses imaging, biomarkers, and genetic data in community settings to reflect real-world aging. The goal is to understand how the AT(N) framework applies to African American and Hispanic communities so future trials can be more inclusive and effective.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: It could pave the way for more accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment strategies for diverse groups affected by AD and ADRD.
How similar studies have gone: This work builds on established AT(N) biomarker research but emphasizes underrepresented populations, which is a newer emphasis with potential for substantial impact.
Where this research is happening
-
University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr
Fort Worth, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'bryant, Sid E — University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr
- Study coordinator: O'bryant, Sid E
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Aging Well with HIV: Alcohol, Risk Reduction, and Education Center (AWAR3E)
A center at Yale is exploring how aging with HIV interacts with alcohol use to create inflammation and frailty, with the goal of finding biomarkers and potential treatments.
-
Cognitive SuperAging: Exploring why some octogenarians stay sharp in memory
This NIH grant studies why a small group of people aged 80+ keep memory skills as good as much younger people, hoping to understand how to protect memory as we age.
-
Biological aging across the lifespan through a national high school-to-adult study
This grant uses a long-running national study of students and adults to collect saliva biomarkers of aging, alongside surveys, to understand how aging markers relate to health and life experiences.
-
Understanding how aging and Alzheimer’s affect how people make tough choices
This NIH grant studies how aging and Alzheimer’s risk change how people decide between immediate and delayed rewards and risky options, with the goal of helping older adults stay financially and healthwise safer.
-
Understanding how brain resilience and multiple brain pathologies influence aging and Alzheimer's disease
A long-term study follows older adults to learn how resilience to brain changes helps reduce dementia risk and what biological factors are linked to better cognitive aging.
-
National Neighborhood Data Archive helps researchers study aging health in U.S. neighborhoods
A nationwide data resource will help researchers understand how where people live affects health and aging, with a focus on respiratory illnesses in older adults.
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.