Alzheimer’s Research Grant

Subodh Kumar, Ph.D., M.S.

Texas Tech Health El Paso Researcher Receives $55,000 Marsh Foundation Grant to Advance Alzheimer’s Research

In an effort to address the disparities in Alzheimer’s research and care, Subodh Kumar, Ph.D., M.S., a researcher at Texas Tech Health El Paso, has been awarded a $55,000 grant to further his study on a biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease within the Hispanic population.

The grant comes from the Edward N. and Margaret G. Marsh Foundation, established under the last will and testament of El Paso resident Edward Norton Marsh, who passed away in 1982. The foundation, which primarily supports El Paso-based organizations, provides funding for charitable, scientific, literary and educational purposes, with special attention to medical research.

This is the fifth time the Marsh Foundation has supported projects at Texas Tech Health El Paso.

Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia, affecting approximately 6.7 million people in the United States over the age of 65, according to the Centers for Disease Control. El Paso County, where 83% of the population identifies as Hispanic, ranks 10th among U.S. counties with populations over 10,000 for Alzheimer’s prevalence, according to recent Alzheimer’s Association research. Despite these alarming statistics, there is currently no noninvasive, early detection method for Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Kumar’s research focuses on a biological molecule known as microRNA-502-3p (miR-502-3p), which appears at elevated levels in the brains and cerebrospinal fluid of Caucasian Alzheimer’s patients. The new funding from the Marsh Foundation will allow his team to investigate whether these findings extend to the Hispanic population. If that’s the case, that biological molecule may have the potential to be used as a biomarker for early detection of the disease.

“Alzheimer’s biomarkers are currently invasive and often detect the disease too late,” said Dr. Kumar. “Our goal is to find a noninvasive biomarker that could be detected in blood serum and provide an early diagnosis. Early detection would enable patients to begin treatment sooner, offering hope to those affected.”

The importance of focusing on the Hispanic population cannot be overstated. According to data collected by the Alzheimer’s Association, approximately 12-14% of Hispanic individuals aged 65 and older in the U.S. have Alzheimer’s-related dementia, a rate that is significantly higher along the U.S.-Mexico border compared to other regions in Texas.

“Most Alzheimer’s biomarker research has concentrated on white Caucasians,” explained Dr. Kumar. “This lack of diversity means we don’t know whether existing biomarkers are as effective for Hispanic patients. El Paso County’s predominantly Hispanic population provides a unique opportunity to address this gap.”

Early detection could transform care for Alzheimer’s patients and their families, especially within underserved communities, where patients may have difficulty accessing care.

“An early diagnosis would allow patients to begin prevention and treatment options earlier, potentially slowing the disease’s progression,” said Dr. Kumar.

Community engagement will play a critical role in advancing the study.

“To validate the diagnostic potential of miR-502-3p, we’ll need blood serum samples from both Alzheimer’s patients and healthy individuals,” Dr. Kumar said. “The participation of our local Hispanic community is essential to this work.”

Dr. Kumar’s team anticipates that with further trials, clinical applications for miR-502-3p could emerge within the next three to four years.

“This research has the potential to not only revolutionize Alzheimer’s detection but also provide more equitable care for Hispanic communities and beyond,” he said.

As the study progresses, the findings could contribute to the broader landscape of Alzheimer’s research and potentially pave the way for more accessible, less invasive diagnostics and treatments for the disease.

About Texas Tech Health El Paso

Texas Tech Health El Paso is the only health sciences center on the U.S.-Mexico border and serves 108 counties in West Texas that have been historically underserved. It’s a designated Title V Hispanic-Serving Institution, preparing the next generation of health care heroes, 48% of whom identify as Hispanic and are often first-generation students.

Established as an independent university in 2013, Texas Tech Health El Paso is a proudly diverse and uniquely innovative destination for education and research.

With a mission of eliminating health care barriers and creating life-changing educational opportunities for Borderplex residents, Texas Tech Health El Paso has graduated over 2,400 doctors, nurses and researchers over the past decade, and will add dentists to its alumni beginning in 2025. For more information, visit ttuhscepimpact.org.