RESEARCH AND NETWORKING PROJECT
R01 AG057234: US-South American Initiative for Genetic-Neural-Behavioral Interactions in Human Neurodegenerative Research (National Institute of Health- National Institute of Aging)
The overall goal for this project is to reveal multimodal (genetic and neurocognitive) drivers of AD and FTD in SACs, accounting for their genotypic/phenotypic heterogeneity relative to US samples, to produce harmonized and region-specific evidence of disease risk and traits.
Multi-Partner Consortium for Dementia Research in Latin America (TAU Consortium)
The goal of the study is to use whole genome sequencing in FTD cases enrolled in the ReDLat project in order to identify unique genetic and SES factors that drive dementia presentation in Latin America.
Multi-partner Consortium for Dementia Research in Latin America (Alzheimer's Association, Inc)
The Major Goals of this project are to expand a consortium that will establish genetic contributions to dementia in diverse Latin American cohorts and to elucidate the impact of the social determinants of health on clinical, cognitive, and brain imaging signatures in Latin America and the US.
High density EEG biomarkers of sporadic and familial neurodegeneration: A comparison with cognitive and neuroimaging markers in multicultural samples (Takeda Pharmaceuticals)
We will establish the sensitivity of multimodal EEG markers vis-à-vis cognitive (standardized coarse-grained cognitive tests), and neuroimaging ones (i.e., structural MRI, functional connectivity derived from fMRI) for discriminating among dementia subtypes (Ad vs FTD), status (familial vs sporadic) and predicting disease progression. We will implement a multi-feature analytical framework to characterize and predict the subtype, status, and clinical severity of neurodegenerative conditions via a novel multimodal electrophysiological markers (derived from EEG) neuroimaging pipeline (high density EEG, MRI and fMRI) and a set of sensitive behavioral (cognitive) measures.
CARD
This collaboration supports the ReDLat consortium by providing bioinformatics training opportunities for participating researchers, funding the collection and storage of plasma samples and whole genome sequencing for enrolled participants, and supporting the development of novel tools for data analytics relevant to ReDLat objectives.
Genetic Screening for Autosomal Dominant FTLD in RedLat (Alector)
The goal of this project is to screen, and identify families harboring known autosomal dominant forms of FTLD due to GRN haploinsufficiency and/or C9ORF72 pathogenic hexanucleotide expansion. We leverage the ReDLat infrastructure to (1) perform Clinical (CLIA) genetic screening and confirmation of PGRN haploinsufficiency and provide community support for the families.
Building Capacity for Frontotemporal Dementia Trial in ReDLat (The Bluefield Project to Cure Frontotemporal Dementia)
This project provide targeted support for the ReDLat Consortium in the hope of identifying more individuals and families who may be candidates for future clinical trials targeting progranulin haploinsufficiency and building capacity within select research centers in Latin America, laying a foundation for these centers to serve as future clinical trial sites.
An automated machine learning approach to language changes in Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia across Latino and English-speaking populations
This project uses automated speech and language analysis (ASLA) to detect dementia in underserved Latino populations. Machine learning will be used on a large Latin American and US cohort to test diagnostic utility of ASLA markers, correlate them with neurocognitive features, and identify those that are robust against sociobiological heterogeneity. We aim to provide equitable diagnostic-support tools, reducing testing cost and time, eliminating examiner bias, and enabling timely adoption of therapies.
The Latin American Brain Health Institute (BrainLat)
BrainLat is committed to support the ReDLat research to different initiatives including seed grants, posdoctorands and direct involvement in the faculties in the ReDLat research publication. This center aims to empower innovative brain health research leaders across Latin America, in full integration with leading centers worldwide. BrainLat seeks to transcend disciplinary boundaries, forge groundbreaking investigation, and reduce the regional impact of dementia. This mission benefits from a partnership with the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI), at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and Trinity College Dublin (TCD).