Genetic Studies of Alzheimer’s Disease in Caribbean Hispanics (EFIGA)

The Genetic Studies of Alzheimer’s Disease in Caribbean Hispanics (EFIGA) is the largest collection of Caribbean Hispanic multiplex AD families recruited and longitudinally assessed worldwide. At this stage we are concentrating our efforts on follow up visits and expanding already recruited families. We will continue to recruit new families as well as expanding the existing ones. We will also continue our efforts on identifying genetic variants predisposing to LOAD. On the other hand there we will continue to expand our cohort of unrelated cases and controls. The use of multiplex families to understand genetic susceptibility to AD began with early‐onset forms. 

Over the length of the project EFIGA have identified environmental, health-related and genetic risk factors of disease and predictors of disease progression by collecting longitudinal data on cognitive performance, emotional health, independence in daily activities, blood pressure, cardiovascular status in this Caribbean Hispanic cohort. Sample collection includes DNA, Plasma, CSF and Paxgene.