Pathophysiology characterization and early detection of Alzheimer’s disease in South China’s Aging Population: for the Greater-Bay- Area Healthy Aging Brain Study (GHABS)

Abstract INTRODUCTION Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects approximately 100 million aged 60 or above older adults in China. However, a community-based longitudinal neuroimaging AD cohort is rarely available in China, particularly in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Great-Bay-Area of South China. METHODS Following the standard protocols of the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, the Greater-Bay-Area Healthy Aging Brain Study (GHABS) was initiated in Shenzhen in May 2021. The GHABS cohort focuses on the pathophysiology characterization and early detection of AD in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, one of the largest population regions in China. RESULTS The aims, study design, data collection, and potential applications of GHABS are summarized. Currently, 565 participants have completed cognitive assessments and blood sample collection in the GHABS cohort by June 23, 2023, and 68% of the cohort were cognitively unimpaired or had a subjective cognitive decline. Additionally, 276 and 65 participants completed stool and CSF sample collection. So far, 396, 346, and 70 participants had MRI, Aβ PET, and tau PET imaging scans, respectively. DISCUSSION The GHABS cohort aims to: 1) summarize the characteristic and evolution of AD pathologies across the clinical and biological stages of AD in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area; 2) determine the earliest abnormal signs of AD using biofluid markers and neuroimaging; 3) identify and validate novel blood biomarkers and imaging techniques for the early detection and prevention trials of AD.