The Research in African-American Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative (REAAADI) is a NIH NIA study focused on identifying genetic factors for Alzheimer disease within the African-American population in order to detect new targets for drug development and improve accessibility to Alzheimer’s disease education within the community. Participants were ascertained for multiple studies of AD/ADRD over the past 20 years, including healthy controls. Eligibility across studies was based on self-reported African American heritage. While participants were enrolled initially as part of larger studies of AD/ADRD, the first formal study focusing exclusively on African Americans began in in 2007 (Genetic Epidemiology of Alzheimer’s Disease in African Americans; AG028786). Ascertainment has continued since 2007 as part of multiple studies of AD/ADRD including the REAAADI Study (AG052410). Since 2007, participants have been ascertained via academic centers in North Carolina (Duke University, NC &T, Wake Forest University), Florida (University of Miami), New York (Columbia University), Ohio (Case Western University) and Tennessee (Vanderbilt University).  

Participants were ascertained and evaluated through community centers, private memory clinics and adult day care centers. Some participants were evaluated in their homes. All participants greater than 60 years of age underwent a standard clinical evaluation consisting of a medical and family history interview, neuropsychological testing, behavioral and emotional assessments, and functional measures. Venous blood samples (or saliva samples when needed) were collected on all participants. All assessments were conducted in the preferred language of the participant or knowledgeable informant. Note that the assessment protocols have changed over the years, but a core group of clinical measures (including neuropsychological tests) are available for all participants.