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2019 Pilot Awards for Global Brain Health Leaders (GBHI)

Substance Use in Early-Onset Alzheimer Disease

Claudia Ramos, MD
Global Brain Health Institute and Neuroscience Group of Antioquia
Medellín , Colombia



This project examines the relationship between substance abuse and the onset of different stages of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Dr. Claudia Ramos proposes to evaluate substance consumption and determine its impact with age of onset and rate of cognitive decline.  Dr. Ramos will conduct the study at the center of Neuroscience Group of Antioquia, a research group in Colombia. This group specializes in the study of families with different genetic forms of early onset Alzheimer’s disease. In particular, Dr. Ramos’ study will target a population of individuals aged 30 or older who carry a variation in the gene called PS1 that leads to the development of early onset Alzheimer’s. The researchers will evaluate the impact of participants’ substance consumption on age of Alzheimer’s onset and progression. Results from this study may foster future projects to more clearly define the biological mechanisms behind the potential association between substance abuse and different stages of Alzheimer’s.
 

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