Asian Cohort for Alzheimer's Disease (ACAD) pilot study on genetic and non‐genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease among Asian Americans and Canadians
Pei‐Chuan Ho, Wai Haung Yu, Boon Lead Tee, Wan‐Ping Lee, Clara Li, Yian Gu, Jennifer S. Yokoyama, Dolly Reyes‐Dumeyer, Yun‐Beom Choi, Hyun‐Sik Yang, Badri N. Vardarajan, Marian Tzuang, Kevin Lieu, Anna Lu, Kelley M. Faber, Zoë Potter, Carolyn Revta, Maureen Kirsch, Jake McCallum, Diana Mei, Briana M. Booth, Laura B. Cantwell, F Chen, Sephera Chou, Dewi Clark, Michelle Deng, Ting Hei Hong, L.-J. Hwang, Lilly Jiang, Yoonmee Joo, Younhee Kang, Ellen S. Kim, Hoowon Kim, Kyungmin Kim, Amanda B Kuzma, Eleanor Lam, Serggio Lanata, Kun Ho Lee, Donghe Li, Mingyao Li, Xiang Li, Chia‐Lun Liu, Collin Liu, Linghsi Liu, Jody‐Lynn Lupo, Kien Gia To, Shannon E. Pfleuger, James Qian, Winnie Qian, Veronica Ramirez, Kristen A. Russ, Eun Hyun Seo, Yeunjoo E. Song, Maria Carmela Tartaglia, Lü Tian, Mina Torres, Namkhuê Võ, Ellen C. Wong, Yuan Xie, Eugene Yau, Isabelle Yi, Victoria Yu, Xiaoyi Zeng, Peter St George‐Hyslop, Rhoda Au, Gerard D. Schellenberg, Jeffrey L. Dage, Rohit Varma, Ging‐Yuek Robin Hsiung, Howard J. Rosen, Victor W. Henderson, Tatiana Foroud, Walter A. Kukull, Guerry M. Peavy, Haeok Lee, Howard Feldman, Richard Mayeux, Helena C. Chui, Gyungah Jun, Van Ta Park, Tiffany W. Chow, Li‐San Wang
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Clinical research in Alzheimer's disease (AD) lacks cohort diversity despite being a global health crisis. The Asian Cohort for Alzheimer's Disease (ACAD) was formed to address underrepresentation of Asians in research, and limited understanding of how genetics and non-genetic/lifestyle factors impact this multi-ethnic population. METHODS: The ACAD started fully recruiting in October 2021 with one central coordination site, eight recruitment sites, and two analysis sites. We developed a comprehensive study protocol for outreach and recruitment, an extensive data collection packet, and a centralized data management system, in English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese. RESULTS: ACAD has recruited 606 participants with an additional 900 expressing interest in enrollment since program inception. DISCUSSION: ACAD's traction indicates the feasibility of recruiting Asians for clinical research to enhance understanding of AD risk factors. ACAD will recruit > 5000 participants to identify genetic and non-genetic/lifestyle AD risk factors, establish blood biomarker levels for AD diagnosis, and facilitate clinical trial readiness. HIGHLIGHTS: The Asian Cohort for Alzheimer's Disease (ACAD) promotes awareness of under-investment in clinical research for Asians. We are recruiting Asian Americans and Canadians for novel insights into Alzheimer's disease. We describe culturally appropriate recruitment strategies and data collection protocol. ACAD addresses challenges of recruitment from heterogeneous Asian subcommunities. We aim to implement a successful recruitment program that enrolls across three Asian subcommunities.