An Inside Look at the Health & Aging Brain Study

Growing evidence shows that Alzheimer’s risk is shaped not only by genetics but also by culture, environment, and lifestyle — and researchers say these differences may hold the key to better prevention and treatment.Dr. Sid O’Bryant, professor of pharmacology and neuroscience at the University of North Texas, is the principal investigator of the Health & Aging Brain Study – Health Disparities (HABS-HD), the most comprehensive Alzheimer’s study ever conducted across African American, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic white communities. His approach brings research into diverse communities often left out of large-scale studies, ensuring that findings reflect the populations most at risk.In this conversation with Being Patient’s Mark Niu, O’Bryant explained how factors like diabetes, hypertension, environment, and even social support networks shape brain health. He explained that these findings show why Alzheimer’s cannot be treated with a “one size fits all” model. Instead, precision medicine — tailoring prevention and treatment strategies to an individual’s genetic, cultural, and lifestyle background — could transform how we approach brain health and Alzheimer's treatments.

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