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
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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

Lieber Institute brain donor Larry Agnew "was a light," says his mother, Priscilla Agnew. Donations such as Larry's make the AANRI's research possible.

AANRI’s 1st Study Identifies Key Genes in the Brain that Account for Higher Rates of Some Brain Disorders in Black Americans

The African Ancestry Neuroscience Research Initiative has published its first research showing how genetic ancestry influences varying rates of certain psychiatric and neurological conditions among people of African ancestry.

New Limited Series The Rose Window: Appreciating Ancestry

How does ancestry affect our brain health? Learn more from the Lieber Institute’s new podcast The Rose Window.

Join Our Livestream Feb. 1: Diversity in Discovery: The Story of the African Ancestry Neuroscience Research Initiative

Join our Black History Month livestream discussion of DEI in neuroscience.

Lieber Institute for Brain Development Receives $1M from Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to Foster Diversity in Neuroscience

Feb. 27, 2023 | The Lieber Institute for Brain Development has received a $1 million, two-year grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to support the work of the African Ancestry Neuroscience Research Initiative (AANRI) to promote racial equity throughout the field of neuroscience.

Who’s at risk for brain disease? Baltimore scientists need diverse subjects to find out

Feb. 27, 2022 | The Baltimore Banner covered the African Ancestry Neuroscience Research Initiative’s new $1 million grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.