Understanding how family genetics affect Alzheimer's risk
Official title: Leveraging Consanguinity to Uncover the Genomic Architecture of Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research · NIH-11187164 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist team is studying how inherited genetic patterns in families with consanguinity influence Alzheimer’s disease risk and progression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Palo Alto, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $163,304 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AG085568-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11187164 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with or at risk for Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, especially from consanguineous populations or with diverse genetic backgrounds.
✕Less likely to help
People without a genetic connection to Alzheimer’s or from populations not represented in the study may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This grant looks at how having related parents (consanguinity) changes the genetic landscape of Alzheimer’s disease. The team plans to analyze genetic data from diverse populations to identify recessive factors that may contribute to dementia in ways different from typical studies. The project emphasizes underrepresented groups and aims to reveal how runs of homozygosity relate to Alzheimer’s risk and clinical features. The findings could point to new genetic clues and potential targets for future care or prevention strategies. It’s a focused, investigator-driven effort over several years to deepen our understanding of dementia biology in real-world populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could uncover new genetic factors that influence Alzheimer’s risk and help tailor prevention strategies for high-risk populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have started to reveal population-specific genetic risk factors, but this project explores consanguinity more deeply in underrepresented groups.
Where this research is happening
-
Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research
Palo Alto, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Adamson, Maheen Mausoof — Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research
- Study coordinator: Adamson, Maheen Mausoof
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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.