# A Study of Race Differences in Alzheimer's Disease Biomarkers

> **NIH NIH RF1** · UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS LAWRENCE · 2021 · $1,123,467

## Abstract

Abstract
 We propose to combine mass spectrometry and machine learning to address racial
disparities in Alzheimer's disease (AD) research. While African Americans have two to three
times the incidence rates of AD than people of European Ancestry, they are underrepresented
in past and current AD research studies. The lack of representation leads to a weaker
understanding of disease progression and poorer diagnostics for this population. The
overarching premise, that advances in diagnosing and treating Alzheimer's disease for all
Americans will be stymied unless differences among racial groups are considered, is supported
by the literature and demonstrated with preliminary data in the application. The aims of this
proposal are, therefore, designed to specifically address the need for a better understanding of
Alzheimer's disease in minority groups and to increase the diversity of patients that could be
correctly diagnosed with serum-based biomarker panels for AD. Successful completion of the
proposed research would accomplish several objectives: We would identify optimal feature
selection methods for `omics data; generate the best possible plasma biomarker panel for AD in
African Americans; and provide a systematic investigation of the extent to which existing MS-
`omics studies' accuracy of predicting AD are modulated by the participants' race.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10234957
- **Project number:** 1RF1AG072760-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS LAWRENCE
- **Principal Investigator:** HEATHER R DESAIRE
- **Activity code:** RF1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $1,123,467
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-06-01 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10234957

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10234957, A Study of Race Differences in Alzheimer's Disease Biomarkers (1RF1AG072760-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10234957. Licensed CC0.

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