Aga Khan University hosts conference on tackling Dementia, Brain Health in Africa

Africa faces unique challenges in addressing dementia, including limited resources, varying levels of healthcare infrastructure and a need for greater awareness and education.

These were the sentiments echoed during the opening ceremony of the inaugural conference on brain health and dementia.

The conference, hosted by Aga Khan University’s Brain & Mind Institute in partnership with The Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative (DAC) and Nature Conferences, brings together experts from across Africa and the world to address key issues and share the latest research on the epidemiology of dementia, including contributing risk factors, genetic advances, clinical trials, early detection, and diagnosis.

The conference themed "The Future of Dementia in Africa: Advancing Global Partnerships", is expected to present studies focusing on the genetics of dementia in African and underrepresented populations.

The discussion will centre on discrepancies compared to the Caucasian population and a lack of diversity in genomic studies that limit the effectiveness of targeted therapies across diverse populations.

The conference will also focus on brain health throughout the lifespan, early detection methods, genetics, and the role of primary care interventions in preventing brain disorders.

“These studies exemplify why we champion diverse genetic research in dementia. Each insight brings us closer to revolutionizing Alzheimer’s prevention and treatment globally. This conference marks a pivotal step towards inclusive, effective solutions for brain health across all populations,” said George Vradenburg, Founding Chairman of Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative.

With Africa’s older population expected to triple by 2050, addressing gaps in dementia care is more urgent than ever.

Dementia is a growing public health challenge around the world, with an estimated 150 million people expected to be living with the disease by 2050.

In sub-Saharan Africa, 2.13 million were living with dementia in 2015, and this number is expected to increase to 3.48 million by 2030 and 7.62 million by 2050.

Director of the Brain & Mind Institute at Aga Khan University Prof. Zul Merali, while speaking at the conference, highlighted the timeliness of the conference and why the interventions must be wholesome.

“As we look at the unique challenges faced in addressing dementia in Africa, we must be alive to the important aspect that capacity building is needed in the global south in order to enable early detection of the disease," said Prof. Merali. 

"We must also understand that lifestyle changes are important in changing the trajectory of dementia, and this is something that we must keep communicating to the public."

The conference will also foster new collaborations between African researchers and global partners as experts discuss how Africa's evolving healthcare landscape, presents a unique opportunity for advancing brain health solutions.