ReCARDO: Using Real-World Data to Derive Common Data Elements for Alzheimer’s Disease and AD-Related Dementias Research Through Ontological Innovation

ReCARDO is a ten-institution research network, funded by NIA under award U24AG098157 for developing an AD/ADRD-focused, collaborative data ecosystem incorporating CDEs to leverage RWD for empowering NIA-funded studies, and for enhancing the transparency, rigor and reproducibility of AD/ADRD research.

The aims of ReCARDO cover the development, application, and dissemination of AD/ADRD CDEs and AI/ML/NLP tools through this collaborative ReCARDO Research Network (RRN). These aims will be achieved through the organization of the RRN in seven Work Streams:

1. CDE development and CDE knowledge graph;
2. CDE extraction from RWD;
3. Data, metadata, and resource ecosystems;
4. AI/ML/NLP and computational phenotyping;
5. Research questions, use cases, and CDE application, including a pilot study program;
6. Genetics, imaging, biomarkers and big data;
7. Reproducibility and evaluation.

Administrative support will be provided through five Key Functions: Steering Committee (SC) and External Advisory Panel (EAP); Management and support for Work Streams, annual meeting, and the pilot study program; Innovation capacity development; Governance framework adopting best practices; and Dissemination and outreach activities.

Work Streams

1. CDE development & CDE knowledge graph

Leads & Co-Leads: Licong Cui, Alex Cheng

2. CDE extraction from RWD

Leads & Co-Leads: Hongfang Liu, Jennifer St Sauver

3. Data, metadata & resource ecosystems

Leads & Co-Leads: GQ Zhang, Jake Chen

4. AI/ML/NLP & computational phenotyping

Leads & Co-Leads: Yonghui Wu, Hongfang Liu

5. Research question, use cases, pilots

Leads & Co-Leads: Zoe Arvanitakis, Amy Franklin

6. Genetics, imaging, biomarkers & big data

Leads & Co-Leads: Degui Zhi, Dennis Lal

7. Reproducibility & evaluation

Leads & Co-Leads: Yong Chen, Ronald Petersen

Current meetings

ReCARDO Annual Meeting

ReCARDO Annual Meeting

Oct 5 (Mon), 2026
Location: NIH Fishers Lane Facility - 5601 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852, United States
The University of Texas Systemwide Brain Research Summit 2026

The University of Texas Systemwide Brain Research Summit 2026

Nov 5 (Thu) - Nov 6 (Fri), 2026
Location: Austin, TX, USA
AMIA 2026 Annual Symposium

AMIA 2026 Annual Symposium

Nov 7 (Sat) - Nov 11 (Wed), 2026
Location: Dallas, TX