# Implementing genomic medicine in clinical care of deaf patients

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2020 · $378,597

## Abstract

Abstract
Sensory disorders such as hearing, visual, and olfactory impairments have been demonstrated to be associated with
cognitive decline in older adults although these associations are complex and can exhibit bidirectionality. A recent studies
on these leading sensory disorders often serve as risk factors and the earliest manifestations of many neurological diseases
such as Alzheimer’s diseases. Community based studies of multiple sensory impairments enable investigators to examine
the relative importance of each system component as it related to risk of cognitive decline. There is a need for sensitive
tests for the detection of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) that are easy to administer in clinical settings and which can be
incorporated into longitudinal population-based studies. The Loewenstein-Acevedo Scale for Semantic Interference and
Learning (LASSI-L) cognitive stress test is such a validated measure designed to detect MCI and can be administered in
less than 15 minutes developed by Co-I Dr. Loewenstein’s group. The LASSI-L has also been shown to be validated for
use in Hispanic populations, is available in Spanish, and has exhibited utility in African-American populations. This
administrative supplemental funding request is designed to add the LASSI-L and a sensory impairment test battery to our
ongoing translational R01 which is studying the genetic basis of age-related hearing loss. This proposal leverages the
exceptional multidisciplinary expertise of collaborators at UM to identify and refine a sensory impairment battery for the
early detection of MCI that can be incorporated into population-based aging studies. Co-investigators include Drs Cejas
(clinical psychologist), Lee (epidemiologist), and Blanton (population geneticist) who have served as Co-Is in the parental
R01 and Dr. Loewenstein who is an expert in investigating novel cognitive and functional measures for the early detection
of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other cognitive disorders of aging, cross-cultural assessment. We have already established
a sensory disorders clinic associated in conjunction with this project and have the capability to see 180 age-eligible patients
of diverse racial background on a weekly basis who will be screened using the LASSI-L to identify those with and without
MCI. Age- and gender matching will be employed to establish 30 participants with and without MCI in 3 defined race-
ethnic groups: Blacks, Hispanics, and non-Hispanic whites. These 180 patients will then be administered the sensory
impairment battery. In this supplemental application, we will build on our accomplishments and preliminary data by proposing
to complete the three specific aims. Specific aims include: Aim1- Administer the LASSI-L to 180 participants in the parent
R01 to establish a cross-section of those with and without MCI in three defined race-ethnic subgroups. Aim2- Administer
a sensory impairment battery to selected participants and conduct analyses to determine whi...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10123643
- **Project number:** 3R01DC012115-08S2
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** XUE Z LIU
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $378,597
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2013-03-08 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10123643

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10123643, Implementing genomic medicine in clinical care of deaf patients (3R01DC012115-08S2). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10123643. Licensed CC0.

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