Mexican Teachers Cohort — genes and memory in older adults
Mexican Teachers Cohort Study: Genetics and Cognitive Function
['FUNDING_U01'] · RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · NIH-11384675
This project uses DNA and thinking-test information from mostly older Mexican women to find genes linked to memory and dementia.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_U01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHICAGO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11384675 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will add nearly 20,000 genotyping profiles and 5,000 whole genomes from the Mexican Teachers Cohort into a larger Alzheimer's sequencing effort to search for genetic drivers of cognitive function. The work combines DNA data with long-term follow-up and cognitive measures from thousands of mostly female teachers across 12 Mexican states. Scientists will compare these results with other Alzheimer's cohorts to find variants that may be more common or important in Mexican and Mexican-American populations. The project focuses on genetic sequencing and analysis rather than testing drugs or new clinical treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are older Mexican or Mexican-American adults (primarily women, often teachers) aged 65 or older who can provide DNA and information about their cognitive health.
Not a fit: People who are much younger, male, of non-Mexican ancestry, or unwilling/unable to provide DNA or cognitive data are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal genetic risk factors that improve diagnosis, risk prediction, and future targeted prevention or treatments for Alzheimer's in Mexican-origin populations.
How similar studies have performed: Large sequencing efforts like the ADSP have successfully identified Alzheimer's-related genes before, but adding a large Mexican cohort is relatively novel and may reveal population-specific findings.
Where this research is happening
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES
- RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER — CHICAGO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: GRODSTEIN, FRANCINE — RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- Study coordinator: GRODSTEIN, FRANCINE
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.