Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have identified a significant genetic factor linked to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in African American patients. The study, published on January 1, 2026, reveals that the gene ADAMTS2 is substantially more active in individuals with Alzheimer’s compared to those without the condition. This finding aligns with results from an independent study involving White individuals, suggesting a shared biological pathway for Alzheimer’s across different populations.
The research highlights the alarming disparity in Alzheimer’s rates, with African Americans affected at nearly twice the rate of White or European-ancestry individuals in the United States. Contributing factors include limited access to healthcare, disparities in educational opportunities, and biases in cognitive assessments. Additionally, African Americans have a higher incidence of health issues like cardiovascular disease and diabetes, both of which are known to elevate Alzheimer’s risk.
Largest Study of Alzheimer’s Genes in African Americans
This investigation marks the largest analysis of brain tissue from African American donors, involving samples from over 200 individuals. Researchers specifically examined gene expression levels in brain tissue from 207 donors, including 125 with confirmed Alzheimer’s and 82 control subjects. These samples were sourced from 14 NIH-funded Alzheimer’s Research Centers across the country.
The most pronounced finding was related to the ADAMTS2 gene, which exhibited a 1.5-fold increase in activity in Alzheimer’s patients. This gene had not been previously linked to Alzheimer’s in other genetic studies, emphasizing its potential importance in understanding the disease.
Notably, the team’s findings were corroborated by a separate study that assessed gene expression in a larger cohort of White individuals with and without Alzheimer’s. In both studies, ADAMTS2 emerged as the most significantly expressed gene, providing a rare instance of consistency across diverse populations. According to Lindsay A. Farrer, PhD, the study’s corresponding author and chief of biomedical genetics, this is the first time such significant findings have been observed in both African American and White populations.
Implications for Future Research and Treatment
These discoveries offer promising avenues for further research into Alzheimer’s disease risk factors in African Americans. Historically, many known Alzheimer’s risk variants have been population-specific, often reflecting different frequencies across diverse groups. Dr. Farrer noted that while some genes associated with Alzheimer’s in African Americans overlap with those in European ancestry populations, the specific variants and their effects on disease risk can differ significantly.
The pronounced expression of the ADAMTS2 gene in both groups underscores a common biological process linked to Alzheimer’s, which could pave the way for targeted therapeutic strategies. The researchers emphasize the need for continued investigation into this gene, as understanding its role could lead to novel approaches in treating Alzheimer’s disease.
This study received support from multiple grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Florida Department of Health. The authors disclosed various funding sources, with some receiving grants from the NIH, and others serving as consultants or having financial ties to pharmaceutical companies.
The findings are published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, contributing to the growing body of research aimed at unraveling the complexities of Alzheimer’s disease and its disparate impact on different populations.
