NEAR administrative hub supporting Alzheimer's efforts in Native communities
Administrative Core
A national program to connect researchers and Native communities for Alzheimer’s work and biospecimen collection among American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pullman, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11173671 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project creates a coordinating hub called Natives Engaged in Alzheimer’s Research (NEAR) that organizes recruitment, biospecimen collection, research methods, and three linked research projects. Eight satellite centers led by Native investigators will help with culturally respectful outreach and enrolling community members across diverse tribes and Pacific Islander communities. The biospecimen core will gather blood and other samples while the methods core harmonizes data and analytic approaches. The Administrative Core oversees partnerships, coordination, and protections to ensure the work respects tribal sovereignty and community priorities.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander adults and elders affected by or at higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias and community members willing to provide health information or biospecimens.
Not a fit: People who are not from the listed Native communities or who do not wish to take part in research or provide biospecimens are unlikely to receive direct benefits from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could increase representation of Native peoples in Alzheimer’s studies and lead to findings and care approaches more relevant to their communities.
How similar studies have performed: The team builds on prior community-based partnerships that have successfully engaged Native communities, but few large multi-site biospecimen networks for these groups exist, so the scale and coordination are relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Pullman, United States
- Washington State University — Pullman, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Buchwald, Dedra S — Washington State University
- Study coordinator: Buchwald, Dedra S
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.