Investigating racial differences in Alzheimer disease biomarkers

Cross Sectional and Longitudinal Racial Disparity in Molecular Biomarkers of Alzheimer Disease

NIH-funded research Washington University · NIH-10816393

This study is looking at how Alzheimer’s disease might show up differently in African American and Caucasian people by checking important biological markers, and it aims to include more African Americans in the research to get a better understanding of the disease for everyone.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWashington University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Saint Louis, United States)
Project IDNIH-10816393 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding how Alzheimer disease (AD) may differ between African American and Caucasian individuals by examining molecular biomarkers. It aims to address the lack of representation of African Americans in AD studies, which has led to conflicting results in the literature. The study will involve a multi-center approach, collecting and analyzing cerebrospinal fluid samples, MRI scans, and PET imaging data from a large cohort. By harmonizing clinical and cognitive outcomes, the research seeks to provide a clearer picture of AD across different racial groups.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include African American individuals who are either at risk for or diagnosed with Alzheimer disease.

Not a fit: Patients who are not of African American or Caucasian descent may not receive direct benefits from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate diagnoses and tailored treatments for Alzheimer disease in diverse populations.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success in addressing racial disparities in health outcomes, making this approach promising yet still relatively novel in the context of Alzheimer disease biomarkers.

Where this research is happening

Saint Louis, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Alzheimer disease dementiaAlzheimer syndromeAlzheimer's Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.