HABS-HD Study
Institute for Translational Research
Study Overview
The HABS-HD project is unique and critical to our understanding of the biology of the brain because it examines MCI and AD risk among all populations and communities. This is the first-ever large-scale study of Amyloid/Tau/Neurodegeneration pathological markers (and Framework) among a community-based cohort. Research shows that some populations will experience a significantly greater increased incidence of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and AD than others. This sets the stage for precision medicine when advancing novel diagnostics and therapeutics for treating and preventing MCI and AD across populations.
Research Specifics
This study is a single site project that is conducted at UNT Health. The DFW metroplex currently represents the future population of the U.S. and is a unique setting to simultaneously study factors associated with MCI/AD among communities.
The HABS-HD project is funded by grants from the National Institute on Aging (NIA): R01AG054073, R01AG058533 and U19AG078109. In 2020, UNT Health provided funding for the addition of 1,000 African Americans to this study.The study has now enrolled over 1,000 Hispanics and 1,000 non-Hispanic whites from the community. Enrollment for an additional 1,000 African Americans began in February 2021.
All partners undergo the following procedures:
- Interview
- Functional exam (e.g. walk test)
- Blood draw and storage of samples
- Testing of memory and thinking
- MRI of the brain
- Clinical laboratory blood work
Recently, the research community created the first-ever biological framework for AD. The 2018 ATN Framework (A = amyloid, T = tau, N = neurodegeneration) is intended to aid the scientific community in advancing our understanding of this disease so more effective treatment and prevention strategies can be created. However, there is almost no information currently available on brain amyloid or brain tau among communities. Our pilot research suggests that brain amyloid levels are lower among Hispanics clinically characterized as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or AD. This is very important because the advancement of amyloid-targeting therapies is a major focus of clinical trials. Therefore, the HABS-HD study was awarded the HABS-HD-ATN grant (R01AG058533) that is specifically designed to add PET amyloid and PET tau scans to the research protocol at multiple time-points. Additionally, this study will characterize blood-based and exosome-based biomarkers of amyloid, tau and neurodegeneration to determine if they can be utilized in this precision medicine approach.
The HABS-HD-ATN grant adds the following to the study:
- PET scan for amyloid plaques
- Assays for plasma-based biomarkers
- PET scan for tau tangles
- Assays for exosome-based biomarkers
All participants who we consider our "partners" of the HABS-HD study are seen at 24 to 30 month intervals. All research visits occur at the UNT Health Institute for Translational Research in Fort Worth, Texas.
Giving Back
Giving back to the community is of key importance to the HABS-HD team. Therefore, partners have the ability to receive information back from the study visits, to themselves as well as to their doctors. Information regarding the clinical lab results, memory testing and MRI findings can all be given back. Results from the amyloid PET scans can be given back to our partners's doctors under certain circumstances. Our partners are all compensated for their time as a means of saying “Thank You” for being part of our team.
HABS-HD Leadership
The HABS-HD Executive Committee (EC) consists of the following scientists: Sid O'Bryant (EC Chair, UNT Health), Kristine Yaffe (UCSF), Arthur Toga (USC), Robert Rissman (UCSD) and Leigh Johnson (UNT Health), each of which are MPIs on one of the HABS-HD grants. The HABS-HDEC is responsible for the overall management of the HABS-HD study.
HABS-HD Data
The HABS-HD Biorepository holds serum, plasma and DNA samples from all waves of HABS-HD participants. Investigators can request access to these samples through the DAPC, which will be reviewed by the HABS-HD Biorepository Committee. Raw HABS-HD imaging files are stored and processed at LONI and access to these files will also flow through the DAPC. The HABS-HD study is also part of the Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Consortium (ADGC) and genomic data will be made available once received.
