Rutgers researchers are trying to find out why South Asian people are at increased risk for Alzheimer’s. Michal Beeri, director of the Alzheimer’s Research Center, said they have a theory.
“We believe they are at high risk because they are the population with the highest prevalence of diabetes,” she said, “and people with diabetes are at 2 to 3 times higher risk of developing dementia.”
Beeri said the results may reveal themselves in a pretty short time.
“We’re hoping to find what we call low hanging fruits in the sense that relatively quickly we’ll discover risk factors and protective factors that are related to dementia,” she said.
Beeri said those taking part have to have a parent with the disease so genetic factors can be studied.
“They are at increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease due to their parental family history,” she said, “and so depending on the study, there are some studies that show that an offspring will have three times higher than normal risk. Other studies show the risk may be 8 times normal.”
Participants will be tested every two years for cognitive and language ability and motor function, with blood tests, neurological exams, and brain imaging.
The study is recruiting people 45 to 70 with a South Asian background who have one or more parents with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. To find out more or take part you can email adrd@bhi.rutgers.edu.