1Florida Alzheimer's Disease Research Center

Knowledge about the natural history of AD, risk factors for cognitive decline, and response to evolving interventions has largely come from studies of Non-Hispanic White population. Studies suggesting a higher incidence of dementia among Blacks, Hispanics and other underrepresented groups (URGs) have been a priority of NIA, but it is unclear whether these findings are broadly generalizable. With ~1,000,000 Alzheimer’s disease and Related Dementia (AD/ADRD) patients from among the 4.5 million residents >65 years old, Florida is an epicenter of the AD epidemic in the United States. Florida is a highly diverse state projected to become a ‘majority-minority’ state in 2025. The 1Florida ADRC is a successful collaboration between the University of Florida (UF), Mt. Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach (MSMC), University of Miami (UM), Florida International University (FIU) and Florida Atlantic University (FAU). As of 3/1/2025, 33% of our cohort is Black/African American (5th highest in NACC) and 36% is Hispanic Latino (2nd highest in NACC). In this supplement application, we will leverage our state’s diversity and our very successful partnerships to address three aims: Aim 1. To maintain bare minimum activities of 1FL ADRC including provision of data to NACC. This will be accomplished by completing currently planned, longitudinal follow-up of 230 participants using uniform/harmonized assessments across sites. Aim 2: Consent 1FL ADRC’s Black, Hispanic and NHW cohorts into the Neuropathology Core Brain Bank. Aim 3: Provide access to participants’ data and biospecimens for research projects and to the AD/ADRD research community including NACC, NCRAD, and qualified investigators.