Immune cells and Alzheimer’s disease in older African American adults
Immune Cells in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias in the Jackson Heart Study
Researchers are studying whether differences in immune cells and inflammation link to Alzheimer’s-related brain changes and memory problems in older African American adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11296828 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses blood samples from about 1,440 African American participants in the Jackson Heart Study to measure many types of immune cells and their gene activity. The team will compare those immune profiles to blood Alzheimer’s biomarkers, brain MRI signs of neurodegeneration and vascular disease, and records of mild cognitive impairment or dementia over time. They will also look at how psychosocial stress and social determinants of health relate to immune changes. Findings come from both current measurements and earlier follow-up data to track patterns across time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The research focuses on older African American adults enrolled in the Jackson Heart Study, especially those with memory concerns or risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.
Not a fit: People who are not part of the Jackson Heart Study or who do not have links to the cohort are unlikely to receive direct or immediate benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify immune-related markers that help predict who is at higher risk for Alzheimer’s and point to targets for prevention or treatment in African American communities.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have connected inflammation and immune activity to Alzheimer’s, but this large, detailed immune-cell and gene-expression analysis in African American adults is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Raffield, Laura M — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Raffield, Laura M
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.