Grants > How Biology and Blood Markers Shape Alzheimer’s Risk in Diverse Communities Updated On: Jul 2, 2026
BrightFocus Foundation Grant

How Biology and Blood Markers Shape Alzheimer’s Risk in Diverse Communities

Biomarkers

Principal Investigator

María Carolina Dalmasso, PhD

Studies in Neuroscience and Complex Systems Unit

Florencio Varela, Argentina

About the Research Project

Program

BrightFocus Foundation

Award Type

Standard

Award Amount

$93,190

Active Dates

January 01, 2026 - December 31, 2027

Grant ID

CA2026003

Goals

The goal of this project is to identify shared and population-specific molecular mechanisms in Alzheimer’s disease to promote equitable and globally relevant diagnosis

Unique and Innovative

Our project is unique because it studies Alzheimer’s disease in populations that are rarely included in biomarker research, including groups with mixed Indigenous, African, and European ancestry. By combining genetic information, environmental factors, and hundreds of blood proteins, we take a more complete approach to understanding the disease. This integrated design will reveal biological differences that can lead to more accurate and equitable diagnostic tools worldwide.

Foreseeable Benefits

Once the study is complete, our findings will help improve the accuracy of blood tests used to detect Alzheimer’s disease, especially for people from diverse backgrounds who are often overlooked in research. By identifying biological differences across populations, our work will guide the development of diagnostic tools that are fair and effective for everyone. These advances will support earlier detection and better care for individuals at risk.