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Year Awarded: 2009
Project Leaders:
Debra Schutte, Nursing; Brian Schutte, Microbiology & Molecular Genetics and Pediatrics and Human Development; Qing Lu, Epidemiology; Rachel Fisher, Pediatrics and Human Development; Karen Friderici, Microbiology & Molecular Genetics and Pediatrics and Human Development; Jill Elfenbein, Communicative Sciences and Disorders
Project Description:
Alzheimer disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by dementia and complex etiology. Multiple genetic and environmental factors are known to contribute risk for disease, but the list is not complete. In fact, our current understanding is not sufficient to predict if and when individuals will develop Alzheimer disease. In this proposal, we will quantify prevalence and risk factors for Alzheimer disease within a local community. With this data, we hypothesize that the community will be able to better anticipate and plan for future health needs. The significance of this FACT proposal is that we will use a community based, participatory approach to conduct a needs assessment focusing on the health of older adults, and that this approach will be continued as an innovative paradigm for gene discovery and translation. We will partner with the whole community to characterize Alzheimer disease and identify resources. With this holistic approach, the outcomes will have broader applicability. Moreover, the capacity of the investigators and the community to interpret and translate the information will be greater. Finally, the target community has four unique qualities that increase the likelihood that the goals of this proposal will be achieved. 1) A highly successful partnership already exists with MSU. 2) The community descends from a small founder population. Thus, common diseases are predicted to be less complex and more identifiable. 3) The genealogy of the founder population is well characterized. 4) Individuals in the target community have a proven history of participation in genetic studies.
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