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Support the systematic evaluation of AT(N) research framework across multi-ethnic populations to enable a true precision medicine approach to treatment and prevention.
2026 9.U Achieved Support systematic evaluation of AT(N) research framework across multi-ethnic populations DN 2021 AD Summit: 5.C Biomarkers Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI4) Health and Aging Brain Study - Health Disparities (HABS-HD) 2024
- Initiate at least one research program focused on systematic evaluation of the AT(N) framework across multi-ethnic populations.
- Ensure that this evaluation includes consideration of environmental, socio-cultural and behavioral factors.
Summary of Key Accomplishments
Research supported by NIH contributed to the development of a system for classifying neurodegenerative disease based on measures of amyloid beta (A), tau (T), and neurofilament light chain (N), which reflect accumulation of amyloid and tau in the brain and neurodegeneration. Since 2022, NIA has supported the Health and Aging Brain Study — Health Disparities (HABS-HD), which evaluates whether and how the “AT(N)” framework generalizes across a multi-ethnic study cohort that includes White, African American, and Hispanic participants. In parallel with HABS-HD, data and biological samples generated by the study have enabled separate NIA-funded research to probe AT(N)-related biomarkers more extensively across the unique HABS-HD cohort. For example, NIA supports a research project that uses HABS-HD biosamples to test the applicability of promising new amyloid- and tau-related biomarkers across multiple racial and ethnic groups.
The key accomplishments summary is current as of September 2025.