How COVID-19 and genetic differences may affect memory and Alzheimer's risk across diverse populations
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 will find out whether having COVID-19 together with certain genetic differences raises the chance of memory loss and Alzheimer's disease in older adults from varied ancestral backgrounds.
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-11389642 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would join older adults in sites across the U.S., Nigeria, and Argentina who are followed after COVID-19 infection. Participants will have neurological and memory tests, blood draws for biomarkers and DNA, and brain imaging using the same procedures at enrollment, about 18 months, and about 36 months later. The team will combine whole-genome data with clinical and biomarker results to look for patterns of cognitive change tied to infection and genetic risk. The work focuses on underrepresented and ancestral groups to understand whether risks differ across populations.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are older adults—especially those 65 and over—from diverse ancestral backgrounds (including Hispanic/Latino, African, and Amerindian ancestry) who have had COVID-19 and can attend study visits.
Not a fit: People who never had COVID-19, are much younger than the study's target age range, or cannot complete blood draws, scans, or follow-up visits are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify people at higher risk for post-COVID cognitive decline so they can get earlier monitoring or preventive care.
How similar studies have performed: Some studies have reported links between COVID-19 and later cognitive problems, but combining whole-genome sequencing with harmonized multi-site follow-up across diverse ancestral groups 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.