# Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer's Disease/Related Dementias: Genetic and Non-Genetic Factors in Comorbidity and Risk

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY · 2020 · $397,459

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Our proposal responds to Notice of Special Interest (NOT-AG-20-008), `Alzheimer's-focused
administrative supplements for NIH grants that are not focused on Alzheimer's Disease'. Our
current parent grant: R01 NR017431 (PI: Barcellos) `ICLIC-MS for Enhancing Outcomes
Research and Clinical Care in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is currently funding the construction of an
ethnically diverse 3,000 MS patient cohort with comprehensive electronic health record (EHR),
genetic, environmental exposure, and both longitudinal cognitive and physical disability
assessments. This unique cohort is nested within the 4.4 million Kaiser Permanente Northern
California (KPNC) Health Plan membership. We will leverage data and biospecimens collected
from 3,000 cohort members, along with resources from the well-established KPNC MS Research
Program (PI: Barcellos) and 25 years of comprehensive EHR and pharmacy data from 2.6 million
KPNC members to pursue the proposed investigation which describes three pilot studies to
further our understanding of the important relationship between MS and Alzheimer's Disease and
Related Dementias (ADRD). Major knowledge gaps on this topic exist and several research
priorities have emerged that will be addressed in the proposed investigation. Results from this
proposal will lay the foundation for future R01-funded research: We will: 1) characterize the
distribution and risk of ADRD in a population representative cohort and sample of MS cases and
controls; 2) determine whether APOE-E4, polygenic risk of ADRD, and/or plasma biomarkers of
ADRD are associated with cognitive impairment in MS; and 3) investigate the role of DNA
methylation aging and rare AD variants in MS cases with ADRD. An improved understanding of
shared risk factors and underlying biology of both MS and ADRD will help guide future treatment
strategies as well as provide mechanistic insight into how MS and ADRD might develop in the
same individual.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10123369
- **Project number:** 3R01NR017431-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY
- **Principal Investigator:** LISA F BARCELLOS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $397,459
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2018-08-14 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10123369

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10123369, Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer's Disease/Related Dementias: Genetic and Non-Genetic Factors in Comorbidity and Risk (3R01NR017431-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10123369. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*