Understanding genetic risk for Alzheimer’s in African and admixed African-American people
Official title: Characterizing the Genetic Risk for Alzheimer Disease in African and Admixed African-American Ancestries
Funded at University of Miami School of Medicine · NIH-11595886 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study will look at how genes influence Alzheimer’s risk in people of African and mixed African-American heritage to improve understanding across diverse populations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| 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 30, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $52,974 |
| NIH project number | 3U01AG084545-03S4 |
| Project ID | NIH-11595886 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults of African or mixed African-American ancestry, with or without cognitive impairment, who can provide consent and participate in follow-up visits.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not experience direct personal benefits, but their involvement will contribute to broader understanding that could help future patients.
What this research studies
This project will collect and analyze whole genome sequencing data, blood biomarkers, and MRI information from African and African-ancestry participants to study how genetics affect Alzheimer's risk. Researchers will follow a subset of individuals over about four years to observe changes in cognitive status and biomarker profiles. The study will build on existing diverse cohorts and use longitudinal data to identify ancestry-specific risk factors and potential markers for early detection.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could lead to more accurate risk predictions and personalized approaches for preventing or delaying Alzheimer’s in diverse populations.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown ancestry-specific differences in known AD risk loci, underscoring the potential value of diverse genetic studies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Miami School of Medicine
Coral Gables, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Griswold, Anthony John — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Griswold, Anthony John
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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.