Researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison are contributing to a groundbreaking national study on Alzheimer’s disease, focusing on brain imaging and biomarkers to better understand the disease and other cognitive impairments, according to a Wisconsin Public Radio report.
The project, involving 2,000 participants nationwide, collects brain scans and blood-based biomarkers twice over three years. This data aims to uncover biological indicators of Alzheimer’s progression and provide insights into dementia in older adults.
The initiative, supported by a $150 million National Institutes of Health grant, unites 37 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers across the U.S. The research center at UW–Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health piloted the first brain scans in August.
Professor Ozioma Okonkwo, a UW–Madison researcher, emphasized the importance of studying Alzheimer’s in underrepresented groups, particularly Black and Latino populations, who are twice as likely to develop dementia. Past studies, primarily focused on white participants, have shown limitations in translating findings to other racial and ethnic groups. For example, while amyloid plaques are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s, they are not always present in Black and Latino patients with the disease.
The study aims to ensure that at least 25% of participants come from historically underrepresented communities, reflecting a commitment to equitable and comprehensive research.
