Origins of Alzheimer’s risk in African Americans
Official title: The Origins of Alzheimer Disease in African Americans
Funded at University of Miami School of Medicine · NIH-11540209 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand why Alzheimer’s disease risk differs in African American people and how ancestry and environment contribute to the disease.
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 start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $68,036 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AG072547-05S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11540209 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
African American individuals, especially those with a family history or higher risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without risk factors or any African American ancestry may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at genetic factors that influence Alzheimer’s risk in African American communities, focusing on how ancestry and environmental factors may change risk. Researchers will use genetic data and family studies to identify known and new risk variants that may be specific to African ancestry. The goal is to improve risk prediction and point toward potential prevention strategies and drug targets. Participants may come from diverse African American populations to capture a wide range of genetic backgrounds.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding ancestry-specific risk could lead to better prediction, prevention, and tailored treatments for African American individuals at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown different risk effects across populations, suggesting that diverse genetic data can reveal unique risk patterns.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Miami School of Medicine
Coral Gables, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pericak-Vance, Margaret a. — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Pericak-Vance, Margaret a.
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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.