APOE in the Predisposition to, Protection From, and Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease

APOE in the Predisposition to, Protection From, and Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease

The purpose of this study is to track changes in the brain related to Alzheimer's disease. The results from this study will be used to develop new approaches to prevent or delay the onset of memory and thinking problems associated with Alzheimer's.

This study aims to establish, use, and extensively share a comprehensive longitudinal resource of genetic, non-genetic, and cognitive data, brain imaging and fluid biomarker measurements of amyloid-β, tau pathophysiology, neurodegeneration, and inflammation and biological samples to advance the study of cognitively unimpaired older adults at six levels of genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease due to their APOE genotype including understudied APOE2 and APOE4 homozygotes (HMs) at the lowest and highest risk and those APOE4 HMs and heterozygotes (HTs) who remain unimpaired at older ages due to unknown protective factors and spared pathophysiological effects despite their genetic risk.

Each participant will provide blood samples for clinical lab analysis, DNA, RNA, plasma, serum, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) every 12 months; amyloid and tau PET scans, a nearly one hour battery of MRIs, a lumbar puncture (LP) for the collection of CSF samples, and a comprehensive battery of cognitive, behavioral, risk factor, and other assessments every 24 months. Extracted DNA will be used to characterize the participant's APOE genotype, screen for rare APOE variants that might make them eligible for other studies, and perform whole genome sequencing (WGS) and genome-wide genotyping.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or female age 50 to 90 years old in good general health with no diseases expected to interfere with the study.
• Willing to undergo health and cognitive assessments, brain imaging sessions (MRI and PET), and collection and banking of blood with venipuncture and CSF by lumbar puncture for genetic research, biomarker research, and DNA banking.
• Determined to be cognitively unimpaired by PI (mechanisms may include verbal interview, participant or study partner reports or specific scores on cognitive assessments)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants with significant health issues or medical diseases that may interfere with participation, including infectious diseases that pose a risk to study personnel.
• For PET or MRI: Female participant who is pregnant, lactating, or of childbearing potential without a negative pregnancy test or being two years postmenopausal or surgically sterile.
• For MRI: Any contraindication for MRI including, but not limited to, pacemaker, aneurysm clips, artificial heart valves, ear implants, metal fragments or foreign objects in the eyes, skin, or body.
• For CSF collection: Medical or surgical contraindication for lumbar puncture (e.g. on anti-coagulant therapy or had prior lumbar spinal surgery).