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-11540210 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to better understand why Alzheimer’s disease risk differs in African American people and how genetics and ancestry influence it.
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) | $272,133 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AG072547-05S3 |
| Project ID | NIH-11540210 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are African American individuals and families with or without Alzheimer’s disease who are willing to contribute genetic and health information.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without genetic or health data contribution may not directly benefit from the findings.
What this research studies
This project will look at genetic factors linked to Alzheimer's risk in African American communities, exploring how ancestry and environmental factors interact with genes. Researchers will combine family studies with case-control designs and genomic data to identify risk variants that are specific to African ancestry. The aim is to improve prediction of who is at risk and to point toward potential prevention strategies and drug targets. The work could lead to more personalized approaches for Alzheimer’s prevention and care in understudied populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of genetic risks could lead to earlier detection and tailored prevention or treatment strategies for African American individuals at risk for Alzheimer’s.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown differing risk patterns across ancestries, suggesting this approach could reveal novel, population-specific risk factors.
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.