Alzheimer's Disease in Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders: Sample Acquisition and Whole Genome Sequencing

About This Grant

Project Summary Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is among the most significant public health and medical challenges of our day. Approximately 7 million Americans are living with AD, and without effective interventions, the number will double in the next 25 years. Homogenous datasets limit the clinical utility of discoveries, possibly leading to race-based disparities in therapeutics and diagnostic tools. Almost all AD research data were derived from majority-White populations in high-income countries. Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NHPIs) have exceptionally high risk. Yet, despite being the second fastest-growing racial minority group, NHPIs are the least represented racial minority group in large repositories/datasets. The ADSP was initiated, in part, to solve the genetic architecture of AD. While limited data exist, available evidence suggests that the genetic architecture of AD in NHPIs is unique. For example, the APOE SNPs are not correlated with AD in Chamorros or Polynesians. We plan to do the following. Aim 1. Recruit and Collect Data from 5,000 NHPIs. We will recruit 1,000 NHPIs annually through our network of connections, including community and religious leaders, social media, radio, TV, personal connections, and word of mouth. Each participant will complete thorough health, medical, social determinants of health, diet, physical activity, and demographics surveys; a neurophysical exam; provide a blood sample; and AD testing. We will collect whole genome sequences, SNP Array data, and standard laboratory assays for each participant. Aim 2. Participant Diagnosis. Each participant will be diagnosed using the NACC battery and adjudicated following the protocols established by ACAD with minor adaptations to make the assessments culturally appropriate for NHPIs. Aim 3. Genetic Analyses. We will describe NHPI genetics (e.g., estimate SNP frequencies in NHPIs), analyze NHPI population structure, and conduct the first AD GWAS in NHPIs.