The Black Women Inflammation and Tau study investigates novel concepts that underlie the complexities of Alzheimer's Dementia in Black/African/American women. Research is supported by funding from the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health under award number R01AF077579-01A1.

All website content is solely the responsibility of the study team and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health

The Black Women Inflammation and Tau Study (BWITS) uses thinking tests, biological fluid testing, and wearable technology to investigate potential biological and lifestyle factors that may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease in Black/African American women. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, a type of degenerative brain disease. In Alzheimer’s, changes can occur in the brain years before symptoms show and changes may occur in the brain with minimal thinking changes present.  Women represent two-thirds of Alzheimer’s disease cases and tend to show greater Alzheimer’s-related brain changes, and Black/African American women are reported to be at the highest risk of the disease. We still don’t understand the reasons for these striking race and sex differences. Emerging research has shown that biological markers of inflammation and insulin resistance may play a role in the disease, as well as lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise. Our mission is to understand the underlying causes of this disease in Black/African American women, and to discover effective strategies for early detection, and prevention of Alzheimer's disease. 

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