Wednesday, January 15, 2025
1/15/2025
ABSTRACT: OVERALL The thematic focus of the UAB Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) is Deep South disparities in dementia. Individuals born in the Deep South (traditionally defined as the five-state region spanning LA, MS, AL, GA, and SC) have high rates of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias (ADRD) relative to other regions. Contributing to this, the region is enriched with groups disparately impacted by dementia due to factors associated with race, adverse social determinants of health (SDOH), chronic health conditions, and other issues. The region is home to the nation’s largest population identifying as Black or African American, who are estimated to be at as much as double the risk of AD. Our vision is a future in which these Deep South disparities in AD are eliminated. Realizing this vision requires a deeper understanding of how this unique amalgamation of factors drives higher rates of dementia, which is at the heart of our plans. As a P20 Exploratory Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC), we have established the teams, programs, and infrastructure to pursue this theme, and have exceeded our recruitment goals with a cohort that is 47% Black/African American. Here we propose building on this initial track record of success with a P30 ADRC that will advance our long-term vision of reducing dementia in the Deep South by eliminating these disparities, by (1) providing coordinated infrastructure leveraging UAB’s strengths to answer questions necessary to reduce Deep South disparities in dementia; (2) recruiting a cohort that reflects the unique and diverse population of the Deep South; (3) collecting a broad dataset from ADRC participants that informs about potential bases for Deep South disparities in ADRD, including clinical, SDOH, activity/sleep, genetic, and biomarker data; (4) collecting and distributing biospecimens from participants in a unique Deep South cohort; (5) increasing diversity in national ADRD initiatives; (6) fostering innovative and impactful ADRD research, especially projects addressing Deep South disparities in dementia; (7) attracting and training the next generation of ADRD researchers; and (8) serving our community, increasing awareness of ADRD both among the public and at UAB.
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