# Alzheimers-focused Administrative Supplement to Enhance the Imaging Genomics of the Aging Brain Project

> **NIH NIH R01** · BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL · 2020 · $392,341

## Abstract

Alzheimer’s-focused Administrative Supplement to
Enhance the Imaging Genomics of the Aging Brain Project
Project Summary/Abstract
We request an administrative supplement for our “Imaging Genomics of the Aging Brain” study (R01
AG058464). The goal of this administrative supplement is to extend our existing study to include a focus on
Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Currently our NIA funded project is designed to
characterize the genetic influences on normal aging-related changes in neuroanatomic, neurophysiologic and
neurocognitive indices in randomly selected Mexican American pedigrees. This supplement will support
additional work, planned and performed by original and new project investigators, to advance the primary goal
of our study: elucidating the genetic architecture underlying normal and pathologic brain aging. Our requested
administrative supplement is in response to NOT-AG-20-008, as we integrate ADRD specific procedures and
biomarkers into a project previously focused more on normal brain aging. In our currently funded project, we
are re-phenotyping the oldest 700 Mexican American individuals ~10 years after their initial assessment as
part of a pedigree-based, mixed longitudinal design. While our current study takes advantage of more powerful
methods for the detection of genetic and environmental influences of healthy aging in longitudinal data, it does
not include a formal assessment of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, nor are biomarkers associated
with Alzheimer’s disease indexed. Thus, as part of this supplement, we aim to (1) integrate a culturally
appropriate diagnostic screening into our existing protocol, (2) index ADRD related blood-based biomarkers
using ultrasensitive methods for the quantitation of low abundance proteins (SIMOA technology), and (3) for
each biomarker estimate the effect size on ARDR risk, the heritability, and the extent to which the biomarkers
and ADRD share genetic factors. To achieve these aims, we partnered with Drs. Sudha Seshadri and Gladys
Maestre, both world renowned experts in Alzheimer’s disease who will directly oversee our diagnostic aim.
Although we will expand our brain aging genomics project to include diagnostic procedures and measure
Alzheimer’s disease related biomarkers, the work proposed in this administrative supplement is within the
scope of our originally supported research given the prevalence rates for dementia among individuals 70 years
of age or older. Given the dearth of Alzheimer’s research involving the Mexican American community and
evidence that this under-represented group is at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias,
our supplement has the potential to help minimize this growing health disparity. This administrative supplement
will provide pilot data for large-scale ADRD research projects in this underserved population.
Dr. David Glahn, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Dr. John Blangero, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Sc...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10123053
- **Project number:** 3R01AG058464-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** John Blangero
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $392,341
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2018-09-30 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10123053

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10123053, Alzheimers-focused Administrative Supplement to Enhance the Imaging Genomics of the Aging Brain Project (3R01AG058464-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10123053. Licensed CC0.

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