Brain Ageing and Dementia in Low- and Middle-Income Countries Conference (LMICs)
Africa Institute of Mental and Brain Health (AFRIMEB) is proud to have participated in the Brain Ageing and Dementia in Low- and Middle-Income Countries Conference (LMICs), held in Nairobi, Kenya, from December 3 to 6.
The AFRIMEB delegation included Dr. Victoria Mutiso, Professor David Ndetei, Dr. Christine Musyimi, Pascalyne Nyamai, and Diana Kasomo, all of whom made significant contributions during the conference.
Dr. Christine Musyimi delivered an insightful presentation on the progress of the READD ADSP project. She highlighted key achievements, such as the successful recruitment of participants, meticulous collection of blood samples, and involvement of different players at each stage of the ongoing research.
Pascalyne Nyamai made an oral presentation on an abstract titled “Collecting Blood Samples in Rural African Settings to Build a Genomic Resource for Dementia Research: A Case-Control Study.” In her powerful presentation, she demonstrated that it is indeed possible to collect and store blood samples under optimal conditions in rural Kenyan villages. This achievement marks a significant breakthrough in creating genomic resources for dementia research in Africa.
Diana Kasomo also displayed an abstract for the entirety of the conference on innovative recruitment approaches for genetic studies focusing on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in Kenya. The abstract provided valuable insights into strategies for engaging communities and encouraging participation in complex studies, particularly in underrepresented regions.
An inspiring speech by Professor David Ndetei during the opening session of the conference documented the remarkable progress made in the field of mental health in Kenya. He emphasized the importance of fostering meaningful intracontinental collaborations to advance mental health and dementia research across Africa. His warm and motivational address resonated deeply with the audience, setting a collaborative tone for the conference.
Throughout the event, Professor Ndetei also shared his expertise on a variety of topics, offering invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities within the field of brain aging and dementia.
The conference was hosted under the auspices of the African Dementia Consortium, Newcastle University, Alzheimer’s Association USA, the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO), and the World Federation of Neurology’s Aphasia, Cognitive Disorders, and Dementia Specialty Group.
