How COVID-19 and genes may affect memory and Alzheimer's risk in diverse communities
Interactions of SARS-CoV-2 infection and genetic variation on the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease in Ancestral and Admixed Populations
This project looks at whether COVID-19 infection together with genetic differences raises the chance of memory loss and Alzheimer's disease in older adults from diverse ancestries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Science Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11389638 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, researchers will follow about 4,300 adults from sites in Texas, New York, Washington State, Ibadan (Nigeria), and Jujuy (Argentina) to see how past COVID and genetic factors relate to thinking skills over time. Participants will get neurological exams, memory and thinking tests, brain imaging, and blood draws using the same procedures, with visits soon after infection and again about 18 and 36 months later. The team will compare whole-genome data and blood-based biomarkers alongside imaging to learn who is more likely to develop cognitive decline or dementia. The work focuses on older adults and people from underrepresented and admixed ancestral groups so findings better reflect diverse communities.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults—particularly older adults and people of African, Latin American, or admixed ancestry—who have had COVID-19 (or are willing to be followed for possible infection) and can complete cognitive testing, brain scans, and blood draws.
Not a fit: People who are young, cannot undergo imaging or blood draws, or who have never had COVID and do not want follow-up may not see direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Results could help identify people at higher risk for post-COVID cognitive decline and guide earlier monitoring or targeted prevention.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have linked COVID-19 and genetic risk factors like APOE e4 to cognitive problems, but this large, multi-country integration of whole-genome data, biomarkers, and repeated imaging across diverse populations is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
San Antonio, United States
- University of Texas Hlth Science Center — San Antonio, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De Erausquin, Gabriel Alejandro — University of Texas Hlth Science Center
- Study coordinator: De Erausquin, Gabriel Alejandro
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.