Genetics of Degenerative Brain Disease and Normal-Pressure Hydrocephalus

The Memory Disorders Lab and Nilufer Ertekin-Taner, M.D., Ph.D., are studying large cohorts of Caucasian, African American and Hispanic people with Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia and many people who have not been affected cognitively. Many people have been included in the national and international consortia, uncovering more than 20 candidate genes for late-onset Alzheimer's disease.

Active genetic studies in early-onset Alzheimer's disease include more than 300 cases. These cases include African American studies in collaboration with Dr. Ertekin-Taner and genetic factors in normal-pressure hydrocephalus.

We have started a Brain Health Study, where we have collected cerebrospinal fluid and blood from 700 people. With this cohort, we are studying the genetics and biomarkers on several diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and normal-pressure hydrocephalus.