Kenyan researchers will study how Alzheimer's disorder that causes the brain to shrink and brain cells to die affects Africans.
The new study is coordinated by the Aga Khan University’s Brain and Mind Institute in partnership with Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative.
The researchers complain nearly all studies of Alzheimer’s disease have been conducted on white populations of Western European origin.
This means the disease is poorly understood in Africa and most patients get little or no care.
Memory loss and confusion are the main symptoms. No cure exists, but medication and management strategies may temporarily improve symptoms.
In a statement, Aga Khan said the new study and a clinical trial will help improve care and increase access to future innovative treatments throughout Africa.
“This work comes at a critical time as the entire continent of Africa is grappling with issues of healthy ageing and ill health, particularly pertaining to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease,” Dr Zul Merali, the director of the Brain and Mind Institute at Aga Khan, said.
He said the study will help scientists and researchers worldwide gain a better understanding of Alzheimer’s in vulnerable and underserved populations. This will in turn accelerate the development of new treatments reflecting a precision medicine approach.
“To make progress on Alzheimer’s disease, it is essential that research include all races and ethnicities, especially diverse populations who have been left out of previous research efforts,” George Vradenburg, founding chairman of the board, Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative, said.
According to World Alzheimer’s Report 2021 the disease is poorly diagnosed in Kenya. The report was produced by the Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), with contributions from Elizabeth Mutunga, the founder of Kenya’s Alzheimer’s Association.
The report says as many as 90 per cent of Kenyans with Alzheimer's are not diagnosed, limiting their access to care and support.
This is due to poor awareness and stigmatisation of people with symptoms, the report adds.
“Stigma remains a major barrier to diagnosis, including stigma by healthcare practitioners. Some 33 per cent of clinicians surveyed believe nothing can be done,” the report says.
Alzheimer's, a form of dementia, is most common in people older than 65. Dementia is not a specific disease.
It usually begins with minor memory problems such as forgetting recent conversations or events, names and becomes more severe with time.
Other symptoms follow. They include getting lost in familiar places, problems with speech and personality changes such as becoming aggressive, suspicious of others and delusions.
“National awareness-raising campaigns must address the stigma surrounding dementia, as well as actively promote awareness of the warning signs,” the report says.
Edited by A.N
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