Understanding Genetic Risk for Alzheimer’s in African and mixed African-American Ancestries
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-11595885 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will study how genetic factors relate to Alzheimer’s in people of African and mixed African-American backgrounds to improve understanding and future treatments.
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) | $47,231 |
| NIH project number | 3U01AG084545-03S3 |
| Project ID | NIH-11595885 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults of African or mixed African-American ancestry who are part of existing Alzheimer's diversity cohorts and are able to participate in blood draws, biomarker testing, and MRI scans.
✕Less likely to help
Participants with contraindications to MRI or those not willing to provide genetic samples or longitudinal data may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project will analyze genetic data from diverse African ancestry groups and collect biomarkers and MRI information to map how genes influence Alzheimer’s risk. It will involve whole genome sequencing, AD and cardiovascular biomarkers, and neuroimaging data from hundreds of participants over several years. By following people with and without cognitive impairment, researchers aim to see how risk genes behave over time in these populations. The study builds on existing cohorts to expand diversity and deepen our knowledge of disease patterns across ancestries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of genetic risk in diverse populations could lead to more accurate risk prediction and tailored approaches for prevention and care.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown that including diverse populations reveals important differences in risk factors and biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease.
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
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Mitochondrial energy problems in men and women with Alzheimer’s disease
This grant tests how mitochondria differ between men and women with Alzheimer's disease to find ways to tailor care.
-
Mitochondrial energy problems in people with Alzheimer’s and related brain diseases
A research effort is looking at how mitochondrial energy problems differ between men and women with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and what this means for future care.
-
Understanding Alzheimer's Genetic Risk in African and Admixed African-American People
A study looks at genetic factors and biomarkers to understand why Alzheimer's disease affects African and admixed African-American communities differently.
-
Genetic Risk for Alzheimer’s in African and admixed African-American communities
Researchers will study how genes influence Alzheimer’s risk in people of African ancestry to better understand why the disease affects diverse communities differently.
-
Genetic Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease in African and African-American Ancestries
Researchers are studying how genes influence Alzheimer’s risk in people of African and mixed African-American backgrounds to improve understanding and prevention.
-
Understanding genetic risk for Alzheimer’s in African and admixed African-American communities
Researchers are studying how genetic factors influence Alzheimer’s risk in people of African ancestry to better understand why dementia affects these groups differently.
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.