U-M Project Investigators
Dirgha Ghimire, PhD, MA
Research Professor
Population Studies Center
Carlos Mendes de Leon, PhD
Professor, School of Medicine, Georgetown University
Kenneth (Ken) Langa, MD, PhD
Professor
General Medicine
Zeina Mneimneh, PhD, MS, MPH
Collaborators
Norvic International Hospital
Institute for Social and Environmental Research Nepal
Tribhuvan University

Piloting Blood Sample Collection Within a Broader Population Survey in the Chitwan Valley of Nepal

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This pilot aims to address health inequities in Nepal’s aging population by testing and improving blood sample collection procedures as part of a new survey on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). The project, situated within the Chitwan Valley Family Study, will develop logistical protocols, train staff, and create a blueprint for integrating biomarker data into large population studies. This initiative will enhance research capabilities in Nepal, contributing to a more competitive NIH grant application and establishing a data infrastructure for health research. Key activities include developing the blood sample collection protocol, conducting a pilot test with 50 participants, and establishing a process for transporting samples to a central lab in Kathmandu and then to Ann Arbor.

Strengthening Health Systems
Nepal