How genes and gene activity affect Alzheimer's risk across diverse ancestral groups
Genomic, Epigenomic, and Transcriptomic Mechanisms of Contributing to Alzheimer's Disease Risk in Diverse Ancestral Populations
This project looks at how DNA differences, gene activity, and chemical marks on genes in people from African American, Puerto Rican, Peruvian, and white backgrounds relate to Alzheimer's disease risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| 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-11134701 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part or your samples are used, researchers will study blood and existing tissue collections from people with Alzheimer's and older people without dementia to measure whole-blood RNA, single-cell RNA, and DNA methylation. They will compare these genomic and epigenomic profiles across non-Hispanic White, African American, Puerto Rican, and Peruvian participants to find patterns linked to Alzheimer's risk. The study combines these data with existing genotyping and whole-genome sequencing to pinpoint which genes and mechanisms are affected. The resulting datasets will be shared as functional genomic resources to help researchers better understand Alzheimer's biology in diverse populations.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults—people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and cognitively normal elderly controls—who are African American, Puerto Rican, Peruvian/Hispanic, or non-Hispanic White and can provide blood samples or allow use of existing samples.
Not a fit: People who are not from the studied ancestral groups, who cannot provide blood samples, or who do not want their genetic or molecular data used are unlikely to be included or benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could clarify why Alzheimer's risk differs by ancestry and help guide more accurate diagnostics and eventually more tailored treatments for diverse groups.
How similar studies have performed: Previous genetic studies have identified some Alzheimer's risk genes but often excluded diverse populations, so combining genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic data in these groups is promising yet still relatively new.
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.