Understanding Alzheimer's Risk in Diverse Communities
Official title: Epigenetic Risk Factors for AD Age at Onset and Health Disparities: HABLE Epigenetics Study
Funded at University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr · NIH-11174255 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at how changes in our DNA might affect when Alzheimer's disease starts and how it progresses in Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic whites.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Worth, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2021 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $666,709 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG070862-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11174255 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is focused on understanding Alzheimer's disease in Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic whites, particularly those who have participated in the HABLE cohort.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not part of the HABLE cohort or those with conditions other than Alzheimer's disease may not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
We are exploring the connection between specific patterns in your DNA, called DNA methylation, and the presence and progression of Alzheimer's disease. By looking at these patterns in individuals from the ongoing HABLE group, we hope to uncover why Alzheimer's might affect people differently. This work builds on previous findings that linked DNA changes to memory decline and inflammation, especially in Mexican Americans. Our goal is to better understand these biological factors that contribute to Alzheimer's in diverse populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us understand individual risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, potentially leading to earlier detection or more personalized prevention strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has identified specific DNA methylation patterns linked to cognitive decline, suggesting this approach has potential to uncover meaningful biological connections.
Where this research is happening
-
University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr
Fort Worth, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barber, Robert Clinton — University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr
- Study coordinator: Barber, Robert Clinton
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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.