# Epidemiological Integration of Genetic Variants and Metabolomics Profiles in Washington Heights Columbia Aging Project

> **NIH NIH RF1** · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2022 · $2,646,057

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The objective of Exposomics for Characterization of Environmental Drivers of AD (EXCEL AD) is to provide the
research infrastructure to incorporate exposomics into AD/ADRD research. Dr. Gary Miller, the founding director
of the HERCULES Exposome Research Center at Emory University, has established an Exposomics Laboratory
within Columbia’s CTSA and collaborated with several members of the Columbia Alzheimer’s Disease Research
Center (Mayeux, Teich, Honig, Lantigua, Stern). Together with these and other AD/ADRD investigators at
Columbia, he will facilitate the incorporation of exposomics into additional AD/ADRD studies at Columbia. In
addition, Dr. Miller will help develop and lead a network among national NIA-funded AD/ADRD research groups
interested in exposomics that will include sharing of protocols, methods, analytical reference standards,
workflows, and results with a goal of harmonizing exposome data across AD studies. We hypothesize that
exposomics will help identify novel biomarkers of AD, provide insight into disease pathogenesis, and identify
environmental contributors to the AD-related disparities observed in different races and ethnicities. EXCEL AD
will test this hypothesis through the following aims. Aim 1. To improve capacity, throughput, and
identification of exogenous and endogenous chemical features through expansion of our high-
resolution mass spectrometry capabilities. As we analyze more AD samples with our combined LC/GC
Orbitrap platform, we will uncover significant associations with disease traits (existing biomarkers, pathology,
imaging, clinical features) that require follow-up identification and characterization of unknown peaks. This effort
requires dedicated instrumentation; thus, we will acquire a state-of-the-art high-resolution mass spectrometer
(Thermo IQ-X Tribrid Mass Spectrometer) to aid in the identification of AD-associated features. Aim 2. To
perform pilot studies for ADRC investigators using the untargeted exposomics and metabolomics
platform. There are multiple AD/ADRD studies underway at Columbia University covering a range of populations
with diverse ethnicity, disease stage, and age. We will provide consultations on exposomics to the Columbia AD
community and perform pilot studies. In addition, we will provide analysis for select external partners. Through
this supplement, we anticipate funding six projects (3 at Columbia, 3 outside) of sufficient power to yield
publication-quality results. Aim 3. To develop, optimize, and distribute workflows via an online EXCEL AD
Community Dashboard among other ADRCs and AD research groups interested in incorporating
exposomics into their studies. We will provide training, quality control protocols and materials, and access to
exposome standards to AD/ADRD investigators outside of Columbia. The Community Dashboard will compile
and curate information on ongoing AD studies that are incorporating exposomics and other measures of
environmental contributors to AD...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10661335
- **Project number:** 3RF1AG066107-01A1S1
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** RICHARD P MAYEUX
- **Activity code:** RF1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $2,646,057
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-09-30 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10661335

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10661335, Epidemiological Integration of Genetic Variants and Metabolomics Profiles in Washington Heights Columbia Aging Project (3RF1AG066107-01A1S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10661335. Licensed CC0.

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