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Research in African American Alzheimer Disease Initiative

African-Americans are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than non-Hispanic whites, yet historically have a lower participation rate in research studies. The HIHG is committed to addressing these health disparities through research and education including outreach throughout the South Florida African-American community stressing the importance of having diverse groups participate in research.

While previous large-scale genetic studies have made a great impact on Alzheimer’s disease research, these studies have mainly focused on non-Hispanic white populations. According to a study by the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s occurs more often in African-Americans and black populations than among whites. Researchers at the University of Miami, Wake Forest University, Columbia University and Case Western Reserve University are working together to find the genes that may cause Alzheimer’s in African American and black populations. Finding gene(s) and learning how they interact with one another and other factors such as diet and the environment will provide valuable insights into how Alzheimer’s develops in individuals. This knowledge will lead to improved diagnosis and eventually to better treatments for these disorders.

University of Miami Principal Investigators

  • Margaret Pericak-Vance, Ph.D.
  • Gary Beecham, Ph.D.

University of Miami Significant Collaborators

  • Michael Cuccaro, Ph.D.
  • Jeffery M. Vance, M.D., Ph.D.

Significant Collaborators

NIH Grants

  • Replication and Extension of ADSP Discoveries in African-Americans, AG052410

Other Media

  • Before I Forget: Love, Hope, Help, and Acceptance in Our Fight Against Alzheimer’s, by Dan Gasby.
B. Smith, celebrity lifestyle maven, model, TV host and restauranteur, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2013. Smith and her husband and caregiver, Dan Gasby, share their story in their book Before I Forget: Love, Hope, Help, and Acceptance in Our Fight Against Alzheimer’s. Smith and Gasby spent part of 2016 touring the country and making public appearances hoping to raise awareness by telling their story. The book serves as part memoir and part call to action for the public and elected officials to provide support, funding, and attention to a disease that affects so many yet has so many unknowns. Smith and Gasby have collaborated with Drs. Byrd and Pericak-Vance, both featured in the book, for several years urging African-Americans to join studies for Alzheimer disease research.

For more information contact

Tina Duke

Senior Manager, Research Support
African American Alzheimer Disease Initiative
Phone: 305-243-3533
Email: AD-HIHG@miami.edu

Larry Deon Adams

Director, Research Support
African American and Hispanic Alzheimer Disease Studies
Phone: 305-243-4018
Email: AD-HIHG@miami.edu