Genome-wide association study of cognition-related phenotypes

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease with few effective treatments to slow the associated cognitive decline. While genetic studies of AD have identified regions of the genome associated with disease risk, it is unclear whether therapeutically targeting these genes will influence the course of disease once it has manifested. Identifying genes associated with cognitive function and decline in older adults will further our understanding of the potential for AD-associated genes to be targeted for therapeutic development and may identify new potential targets. We propose to study genome-wide genetic data in conjunction with the cognitive tests performed by the CLSA to identify genetic variants related to cognitive function and cognitive decline in older adults. We then will examine these results for cognition in relation to established genetic risk factors for AD.