# Impacts of receiving Alzheimer's disease genetic risk information among Latinos in northern Manhattan

> **NIH NIH R01** · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2021 · $3,888,885

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
 This study will assess the psychosocial and behavioral impacts of receiving a risk assessment for late-
onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) incorporating APOE genotypes among Latinos in northern Manhattan. We
will conduct a longitudinal, community-based study with a mixed methods design and diverse, nuanced, and
sensitive assessments of impact. Participants will be randomized to learn about their lifetime risk of LOAD
based either on (a) ethnicity and family history alone (genotype nondisclosure group), or (b) the same factors
plus APOE genotype (genotype disclosure group). Impacts will be evaluated at 6 weeks, 9 months, and 18
months after risk assessment.
 In the quantitative study component, we will assess psychosocial outcomes, memory test performance,
and health-related behaviors. The primary endpoints are a significant difference between the genotype
disclosure and nondisclosure groups' scores on: (1) the Impact of Genetic Testing in AD scale, (2) the Impact
of Events Scale, (3) the Metamemory in Adulthood Questionnaire, and (4) the Brief Test of Adult Cognition by
Telephone. The secondary endpoints are significant differences in symptoms of depression or anxiety, health-
related behavior changes, perceived threat of AD, and recall and understanding of risk information. We will
also investigate factors that underlie variability in response and explore the patterns of longitudinal response to
the receipt of genetic information.
 In the qualitative study component, we will use a stress and coping theoretical framework to investigate the
lived experience of receiving personal AD risk information. This will include examination, at each time point, of
the ways in which participants understand and appraise AD risk information, how this is influenced by their lay
belief systems about genetics and AD illness representations, and what coping strategies they enact to
contend with their risk, its perceived implications, and the adaptive challenges it may pose. We will also assess
how coping strategies change over time and the contextual factors and conditions associated with those
changes, including Latino cultural values and norms; and how different coping strategies may enhance or
impede adjustment to AD risk information.
 The results will help identify persons at high risk for adverse consequences of APOE testing and inform
interventions to assist them to cope effectively. The information will be important for tailoring genetic education
or counseling interventions to Latinos.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10102159
- **Project number:** 5R01AG062528-02
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** RUTH OTTMAN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $3,888,885
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-02-15 → 2024-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10102159

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10102159, Impacts of receiving Alzheimer's disease genetic risk information among Latinos in northern Manhattan (5R01AG062528-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10102159. Licensed CC0.

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