Predicting Alzheimer’s risk in South Asian adults using genetics, lifestyle, and vascular health
P-CARRS-BRAIN: Multi-domain (genetic, socio-behavioral, vascular) risk factors and prediction of Alzheimer’s Disease continuum in South Asians in India
This project uses genetic, behavior, and vascular health information to spot early Alzheimer’s-related changes in middle-aged South Asian adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11393568 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are a South Asian adult, researchers would add Alzheimer’s-focused cognitive tests and genetic testing to a long-term health study and combine your medical, lifestyle, and blood-pressure/metabolic data with machine learning to find early signs of decline. The work builds on a large Precision-CARRS cohort with about 15 years of repeated health and behavior records and will add AD-specific assessments and genotyping. The team will look for modifiable risks like blood sugar, blood pressure, or activity patterns that link to early Alzheimer's changes and try to create prediction models for the disease continuum. Participation would likely involve cognitive assessments, providing a DNA sample (blood or saliva), and sharing medical and lifestyle information over time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are middle-aged South Asian adults (21+)—particularly those in India or enrolled in the Precision-CARRS cohort—who are willing to do cognitive tests and provide a genetic sample and follow-up information.
Not a fit: People who are not of South Asian background, those with advanced dementia, or those unwilling to provide genetic samples or ongoing follow-up are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help identify people at higher Alzheimer’s risk earlier and point to lifestyle or vascular targets to reduce that risk.
How similar studies have performed: Related approaches combining genetics, vascular risk factors, and machine learning have shown promise in Western cohorts, but applying these methods to middle-aged South Asians is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Narayan, Kabayam M Venkat — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Narayan, Kabayam M Venkat
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.