Ho PC, Yu WH, Tee BL, Lee WP, Li C, Gu Y, Yokoyama JS, Reyes-Dumeyer D, Choi YB, Yang HS, Vardarajan BN, Tzuang M, Lieu K, Lu A, Faber KM, Potter ZD, Revta C, Kirsch M, McCallum J, Mei D, Booth B, Cantwell LB, Chen F, Chou S, Clark D, Deng M, Hong TH, Hwang LJ, Jiang L, Joo Y, Kang Y, Kim ES, Kim H, Kim K, Kuzma AB, Lam E, Lanata SC, Lee K, Li D, Li M, Li X, Liu CL, Liu C, Liu L, Lupo JL, Nguyen K, Pfleuger SE, Qian J, Qian W, Ramirez V, Russ KA, Seo EH, Song YE, Tartaglia MC, Tian L, Torres M, Vo N, Wong EC, Xie Y, Yau EB, Yi I, Yu V, Zeng X, St George-Hyslop P, Au R, Schellenberg GD, Dage JL, Varma R, Hsiung GR, Rosen H, Henderson VW, Foroud T, Kukull WA, Peavy GM, Lee H, Feldman HH, Mayeux R, Chui H, Jun GR, Ta Park VM, Chow TW, and Wang LS
Introduction: Clinical research in Alzheimer's disease (AD) lacks cohort diversity despite being a global health crisis. The Asian Cohort for Alzheimer's Disease (ACAD) was formed to address underrepresentation of Asians in research, and limited understanding of how genetics and non-genetic/lifestyle factors impact this multi-ethnic population., Methods: The ACAD started fully recruiting in October 2021 with one central coordination site, eight recruitment sites, and two analysis sites. We developed a comprehensive study protocol for outreach and recruitment, an extensive data collection packet, and a centralized data management system, in English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese., Results: ACAD has recruited 606 participants with an additional 900 expressing interest in enrollment since program inception., Discussion: ACAD's traction indicates the feasibility of recruiting Asians for clinical research to enhance understanding of AD risk factors. ACAD will recruit > 5000 participants to identify genetic and non-genetic/lifestyle AD risk factors, establish blood biomarker levels for AD diagnosis, and facilitate clinical trial readiness., Highlights: The Asian Cohort for Alzheimer's Disease (ACAD) promotes awareness of under-investment in clinical research for Asians. We are recruiting Asian Americans and Canadians for novel insights into Alzheimer's disease. We describe culturally appropriate recruitment strategies and data collection protocol. ACAD addresses challenges of recruitment from heterogeneous Asian subcommunities. We aim to implement a successful recruitment program that enrolls across three Asian subcommunities., (© 2024 The Authors. Alzheimer's & Dementia published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Alzheimer's Association.)