Aim to address the current gaps in the knowledge of the genetic architecture of AD using a comprehensive programme of genetic epidemiological analysis, incorporating state-of-the-art technology and analysis methods, denser genetic information and better phenotype definitions, using existing collections of phenotype and genotype data. Identifying new genetic variants and biological pathways for AD and more fully characterising the genetic contribution of AD will improve the understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved in AD pathogenesis and identify targets for future drug discovery.

Objectives include: Refine the phenotype definition of AD using latent class analysis in ALSPAC, Carry out a large-scale genome-wide association (GWA) meta-analysis including analysis using improved AD definitions and subtypes, Refine existing signals and investigate the role of lower frequency variants in AD using next-generation sequence (NGS) data, Investigate parent-of-origin effects in AD using multi-generational data, Quantify the overall contribution made by common genetic variants to AD susceptibility & identify important pathways, Investigate 'geneXgene' (GxG) and 'geneXenvironment' (GxE) interactions in AD, Functional follow-up of AD associated variants.