Brain Signatures of Alzheimer’s Disease in Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Populations

The neurobiological signature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology has been well-characterized from a neuroimaging standpoint in predominantly Caucasian samples. No systematic study of quantitative brain imaging marker has been conducted in NHPI groups to date, representing a significant gap in the characterization of AD and long-term brain health for these populations. This is particularly important given NHPI individuals are subject to many aging health disparities. The aim of our studies is to collect neuroimaging data and characterize the neurobiology of regions implicated in the pathophysiology of AD in high-risk NHPI cases using high-dimensional brain mapping procedures. It is anticipated this could lead to proper anticipation and management of the long-term course of AD in aging NHPI.