A “new era in Alzheimer’s research” kicked off last week with the public unveiling of GeneMatch.
GeneMatch, an extension of Banner Alzheimer’s Institute’s online registry at www.endalznow.org, connects cognitively normal volunteers with research opportunities based on their genotype.
Dr. Eric Reiman, executive director of the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, said he has long dreamed of a time that genetics could play a larger role in dementia research, “and that time has come.”
Cognitively normal adults ages 55 to 74 who supply GeneMatch with their information will be sent a cheek swab kit for DNA collection. Researchers can then use this information to match participants to nearby sites with open studies. This is more effective than traditional methods, which require study sites to find their own participants.