Understanding genetic risk for Alzheimer’s in African and admixed African-American communities
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-11595888 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how genetic factors influence Alzheimer’s risk in people of African ancestry to better understand why dementia affects these groups differently.
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) | $62,774 |
| NIH project number | 3U01AG084545-03S6 |
| Project ID | NIH-11595888 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals of African ancestry (including African and African American) who may participate in genetic sequencing, biomarker collection, and MRI studies.
✕Less likely to help
Participants outside African/admixed African ancestry groups or those not enrolled in biomarker or imaging components may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project will analyze whole-genome sequences and biomarker data from about 9,000 individuals of African ancestry, including plasma biomarkers and MRI data from Nigerian participants. It builds on large existing cohorts and adds longitudinal follow-up over roughly four years to track changes in cognition and disease progression. The goal is to identify genetic risk factors and biomarkers that specifically impact Alzheimer’s in these populations, helping tailor future prevention and treatment efforts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of Alzheimer’s risk in African and admixed African-American communities could lead to more accurate risk prediction and targeted therapies in the future.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show that genetic risk varies by ancestry, and incorporating diverse groups has yielded new insights, though this specific multi-ancestry sequencing effort is expanding the scope.
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.