Knight ADRC Collection

The search for novel risk factors and genetic modifiers for Alzheimer disease relies on the access to accurate and deeply phenotyped datasets. The Memory and Aging Project (MAP) at the Knight-ADRC (Washington University in St. Louis) collects cognitive data, CSF and imaging longitudinally.  This clinical information combined with deep molecular phenotyping (i.e. genetic, proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics and lipidomics among others) will lead to the identification of novel genetic modifiers, protective variants, molecular biomarkers and the novel targets. Participants were recruited by the Knight-ADRC at Washington University in St. Louis (MO). Knight-ADRC participants have to be at least 65 years old and have no memory problems or mild dementia at the time of enrollment.

The cohort consists of individuals who are non-Hispanic white from North America (95%) or African American (5%). Individuals carrying known mutations in the Mendelian genes for AD (APP, PSEN1, PSEN2) or Frontotemporal Dementia (GRN, MAPT, C9ORF72) were excluded.  AD definition is based on a combination of both clinical and pathological information if available. Pathologic diagnosis will overrule clinical diagnosis.  Autopsy information is provided if available, but is not a requirement for enrollment.