Our Research Programs

HMRI’s Brain Aging Study began more than 20 years ago. Today, scientists are advancing research on Alzheimer’s disease, focusing on noninvasive biomarkers for early detection of the disease and neurodegeneration at the early stages of the disease, and perhaps before the onset of clinical symptoms. Using longitudinal studies, researchers investigate biomarkers for early detection, changes in cognition, and comorbidities. The study aims to help ameliorate health disparities among underserved minorities by removing barriers to healthcare access with low-cost, noninvasive tests for the early detection of neurodegenerative diseases.

Distinguished epidemiologist Astrid Suchy-Dicey, PhD, has dedicated her career to unraveling health disparities in neurodegenerative diseases. She leads multiple independent, NIH-funded research programs aimed at understanding risk and resilience factors in brain aging in American Indians, Alaska Natives, and other marginalized populations. Some of these projects include Plasma phosphorylated tau protein and Alzheimer’s disease in American Indians; Resilience, cultural alignment, social support, and brain aging; Psychological factors, community, and brain aging; Bilingualism as a protective factor of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD).