Protective genetic variants in the mid-western Amish

Main et. al

Leighanne R Main¹, Michelle C Disher¹, Yeunjoo Song¹, Renee Laux¹, Kristy Miskimen¹, Michael L Cuccaro^2,3, Paula Ogrocki⁴, Alan J Lerner^1,4, Jeffery M. Vance^2,3, M Denise Fuzzell¹, Sarada Fuzzell¹, Jane Sewell¹, Laura J Caywood², Michael Prough³, Bill Scott²,  Larry D. Adams², Jason E. Clouse², Sharlene D. Herington², Margaret A. Pericak-Vance3^,5 and Jonathan L. Haines¹ 

1. Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
2. University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
3. John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
4. University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
5. The Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) increasing in frequency with the aging population. Our goal is to identify protective genetic variants that slow down or stop the progression of AD. We are applying a family-based approach by studying the Amish, an isolated and homogeneous population. By examining genetic variants in the Amish, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of the development of AD and possible novel therapeutic targets.