Resolving mutations in challenging genomic regions to test association with Alzheimer's disease phenotypes

A majority of the human genome has been well characterized through the initial Human Genome Project and numerous large-scale sequencing studies such as the 1000 Genomes Project, Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), Alzheimer’s Disease Sequencing Project, and others. There are, however, many genome regions that are challenging to characterize using standard approaches that are important to human health and disease. We intend to (1) develop and test new methods to characterize mutations in these regions, and (2) test associations between these mutations and disease phenotypes. Data from the ADSP may be combined with other datasets, such as the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. All appropriate precautions will be taken to verify proper population stratification and eliminate any sample redundancy. Combining these data will not increase risk to participants, as all individual-level data will remain confidential. We may also use portions of the ADSP data as controls for other diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), though only in situations that do not violate genetic or data-use principles. Specifically, data where participants consented for use only within Alzheimer's disease studies will not be used for any purpose outside Alzheimer's disease research.

We will also use data from other genomic regions and are using these data to develop machine-learning and statistical models to better predict Alzheimer's disease development and progression.

Many regions of the human genome present challenges that prohibit scientists from discovering potential disease-causing mutations. We are developing methods to characterize mutations in these regions to identify new genes involved in disease.