RESEARCH MATTERS
Advancing Alzheimer’ s Detection Across Varied Populations
University of Hawai‘ i Cancer Center researcher Dr. Song-Yi Park is studying the effectiveness of a blood test for Alzheimer’ s disease using data from the Multiethnic Cohort( MEC) Study, supported by a $ 140,000 grant from the Alzheimer’ s Association.
Her research focuses on pTau-217, a blood biomarker for Alzheimer’ s, evaluating its accuracy across Native Hawaiian, African American, and White populations. The goal is to uncover potential racial and ethnic differences in pTau-217 levels and identify contributing factors, helping to improve early detection in underrepresented groups. will help reduce that gap and assess how well this safe, affordable test works across different communities.”
Park and fellow researcher Dr. Unhee Lim previously found that Native Hawaiians face Alzheimer’ s risk levels comparable to African Americans— almost double the risk seen in Japanese Americans— highlighting major disparities in Alzheimer’ s disease and related dementias.
Song Yi-Park, PhD( center), receives her grant award. Photo courtesy of Alzheimer’ s Association
“ Minority populations have been underrepresented in Alzheimer’ s research,” said Park.“ This grant
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