Bridging the Gap In Neuroscience & African Ancestry

America’s First African Ancestry Neuroscience Research Initiative

Research shows that African Americans are

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More likely to experience serious mental health problems than people of European decent
0 %
More likely to develop Alzheimer’s Disease
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More likely to experience premature birth rates and infant deaths
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Higher in suicide rates in children under 13

Research in neuroscience has been limited by a lack of diversity

For example, 81% of large-scale genomic datasets are of European descent, even though this group makes up less than 16% of the world population.

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The potential knowledge gained through this research will help not just individuals of African ancestry, but will also help all people. It’s by studying the most complex representatives of genetic diversity in the context of the human brain that we will ultimately understand how to customize therapy and maximize the effectiveness of treatments.
Daniel R. Weinberger, M.D.
CEO & Director, Lieber Institute for Brain Development

News and Articles

Daniel Weinberger for print

A Response to the New York Times: Understanding Psychosis in African Americans

Baltimore Sun: Lieber Institute partners with Black community leaders to unlock secrets of the brain: ‘We will not be left behind’

AANRI Leaders Talk Diversity with Research!America

STAT News: How a Baltimore neuroscience study is rewriting Black America’s relationship with medical research

NPR: African ancestry genes may be linked to Black Americans’ risk for some brain disorders