2024 New Investigator Awards Program (NIAP)
Comprehensive Gene-Environment Interactions on Alzheimer’s Disease
How do genetic and environmental factors combine to increase Alzheimer’s risk?
Xian Wu, Ph.D.
University of Kentucky Research Foundation
Lexington, KY - United States
Background
Many researchers believe that there is not a single cause of Alzheimer’s and other dementia, but rather, they develop over time as a result of several factors including lifestyle, environment, and genetics. Several genes are known to play a role in Alzheimer’s risk and progression of the disease, for most individuals who have late-onset Alzheimer’s (the most common form of the disease), the genetic mechanisms, and their connection with environmental factors, are not well understood.
Research Plan
For their studies, Dr. Xian Wu and colleagues will leverage datasets from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center, which includes both genetic data as well as demographic and environmental information from individuals living with Alzheimer’s. They will first identify genes that are associated with late-onset Alzheimer’s. Next, the team will examine the environmental factors, including social, health, and behavioral factors, that are associated with increased late-onset Alzheimer’s risk. Lastly, the researcher will assess which combination of genetic and environmental factors have the greatest impact on both late-onset Alzheimer’s risk and progression of the disease.
Impact
Results of this study may uncover new genetic and environmental factors that contribute to late-onset Alzheimer’s risk. The findings may lead to future intervention strategies for those at greatest risk of developing the disease.
The New Investigator Program Award (NIAP) is jointly funded by the Alzheimer's Association and National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center.