The Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative (DAC) and the Aga Khan University’s Brain & Mind Institute (BMI) have embarked on an unprecedented collaboration, setting the stage for a transformative two-part research program. This pioneering initiative seeks to address the pressing lack of diversity in dementia research, elevate caregiving standards, and broaden access to innovative treatments throughout Africa.

This collaboration comes in response to the World Health Organization's projection that by 2050, two-thirds of the global population aged 60 and above will be residing in low- and middle-income countries. Against this backdrop, Kenya is poised to witness a demographic shift, doubling its ageing population in the next three decades. A staggering 316% surge in dementia cases by 2050 is projected, as highlighted by Strengthening Responses to Dementia in Developing Countries (STRIDE) Kenya.

Dr Vaibhav Narayan, Executive Vice President and Head of Strategy and Innovation at the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative, underscored the organization's unwavering commitment to collaboratively advancing the understanding of Alzheimer's disease, particularly within diverse populations. Praising the strategic partnership with the Brain & Mind Institute at Aga Khan University, he lauded it as an instrumental means of achieving this vital mission.

The collaborative effort is anchored in a comprehensive research approach, the first phase of which will focus on comprehending and averting dementia within the Kenyan context. Leveraging rapid ethnographic methods, including qualitative interviews and focus group discussions, researchers will delve into the nuanced meanings, attitudes, and perceptions surrounding dementia.

Transitioning to the second phase, close collaboration between researchers and neurologists at Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi will be the cornerstone. This stage entails an in-depth study involving a substantial cohort of individuals living with dementia, juxtaposed with a control group comprising typically ageing Kenyan adults.

Drew Holzapfel, Chief Operating Officer of the Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative, emphasized that the partnership with BMI marks a significant stride towards cultivating a life course approach to brain health and healthy ageing. Envisioning a future enriched with precision medicine in neuroscience, he is steadfast in creating an infrastructure conducive to risk reduction, pioneering research, and the formulation of individualized treatments for neurological well-being.

Dr Carl Amrhein, Provost and Vice President, Academic at Aga Khan University, expressed his optimism regarding the far-reaching impact of these research endeavours. He anticipates that the partnership will catalyze substantial enhancements in dementia research, education, outreach, and healthcare provisions within the Brain & Mind Institute. Moreover, he envisions the collaboration as a precursor to broader expansion and growth, ultimately culminating in substantial improvements in the quality of life for those affected by this debilitating condition.

This partnership represents a remarkable stride towards addressing the global dementia challenge, infusing hope for a more promising future for individuals grappling with this condition across Africa and beyond. As the research narrative unfolds, the world watches with bated breath for potential breakthroughs and advances that could potentially reshape the landscape of dementia care and treatment.

Article by Nyokabi Wanjiku

Photo/Delight

https://www.aku.edu/news/Pages/News_Details.aspx?nid=NEWS-003047