HudsonAlpha Initiates Pilot Study: Unraveling How Genetics and Lifestyle Shape Alzheimer's Risk

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. ( WAFF HudsonAlpha initiated a pilot project to explore how genetic factors and lifestyle choices affect an individual's likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease and associated dementia conditions.

The pilot project titled HOPE AD (Healthy Outcomes through Phenomic Explorations for Alzheimer’s Disease) is currently recruiting participants at the Smith Family Clinic for Genomic Medicine located in Huntsville.

This research intends to recruit 200 healthy individuals aged from 65 to 75 years old who do not exhibit cognitive impairment but have a close relative such as a parent, brother, sister, or offspring diagnosed with dementia.

Authorities state that qualified individuals will receive an invitation for their first appointment at the Smith Family Clinic. There, they will go through standard health examinations such as cognitive tests and overall well-being evaluations, along with summaries of family background and personal medical histories.

All qualifying participants will get the clinical outcomes, which include:

• APOE status—A widely recognized gene associated with the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
• A polygenic risk score is a comprehensive assessment that integrates information from several genes to offer a fuller understanding of an individual's likelihood of developing certain diseases.
• Levels of pTau217 protein—a biomarker found at increased concentrations in the brains of individuals during the early stages of Alzheimer's disease—are being examined.

Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia start developing long before any noticeable symptoms emerge," explained Nick Cochran, PhD, who is a faculty investigator at HudsonAlpha and leads research for this particular study. "By the time an individual exhibits indications of cognitive decline, it might already be too late." He continued, "Our initiative offers us an opportunity to move away from merely responding to these conditions toward proactively addressing them. We're investigating if providing individuals with tailored health data could enable them to adopt measures that safeguard their neurological well-being.

The organizers mentioned that this study employs a "phenomic" method, which gathers comprehensive information regarding the participants' well-being, surroundings, and daily habits. Additionally, they highlighted that this technique enables scientists to develop a more complete understanding of what contributes to dementia risks beyond just genetic factors.

The outcomes of the pilot will shape a broader investigation in the upcoming years.

To find out more information regarding the Hope AD study and determine your eligibility, please click here or get in touch with the Smith Family Clinic at 256-327-9640.

Tap Here to Subscribe on YouTube: Check out the most recent WAFF 48 news, sports, and weather clips on our YouTube page!