As I sit down to write this message, I find myself reflecting on the whirlwind of the past few months. It has been a deeply fulfilling yet busy season for us at the Brain and Mind Institute (BMI), and I am both proud and excited to share some of our recent advancements and achievements with you.
Brain Resilience Kenya Study
One of the standout moments for me personally was the launch of our
Brain Resilience Kenya Study. This initiative holds special significance as it reflects our growing understanding that brain health is at the core of human health. After all when the brain does not work well, nothing else matters. The study explores how individuals in different environments can maintain brain resilience in the face of adversity—an urgent question in today’s rapidly changing world. You can read more about this exciting project
here and watch a recording of the launch by clicking the link below.
First Nature Conference in Africa
Another significant milestone for AKU and our institute was the first ever conference to be hosted by Nature, in the continent of Africa. This groundbreaking conference entitled, “Future of Dementia in Africa”, was co-hosted with Nature Conferences, the Aga Khan University and Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative. This was a global call for action for research, care and policies in dementias and Alzheimer’s disease, an impending ‘tsunami’ facing low- and middle-income countries. This event showcased our research across Africa and the globe, fostering deeper collaborations with fellow scientists, policymakers, and global and community leaders across the continent. It was a vivid reminder that the future of dementia care need not be just doom and gloom, but that there is a lot of hope in how the underserved global south will manage the onslaught of dementias - but it will require concerted effort and innovation. You can learn more about the discussions from this event
here.
Key discussions centered around a pressing yet often overlooked issue: Dementia and Alzheimer's disease in Africa. Although the continent is home to the world’s youngest population, experts caution that this demographic advantage could shift as life expectancy increases. By 2050, Africans will make up a quarter of the world’s population, and the burden of cognitive diseases is expected to rise sharply. Most African countries are unprepared for this challenge, which was emphasized in The World's Africa correspondent Halima Gikandi's report from Nairobi. You can listen to her coverage below.
Lived experience
In this issue, we shine a light on the inspiring journey of Christine Mungai, a former advertising powerhouse whose life took an unexpected turn when her mother was diagnosed with dementia. Christine left behind a thriving career to become her mother’s full-time caregiver, transforming her personal challenges into a mission to raise awareness and support families affected by the disease. Her story is one of resilience, love, and advocacy, reshaping the conversation around dementia care in Kenya.
Christine Mungai had built an impressive career as an advertising executive in Kenya, overseeing high-stakes campaigns for multinational brands.
However, her life dramatically changed when her mother began showing early signs of dementia. It started subtly—her mother would drive on the wrong side of the road or lose her way on familiar routes. Initially dismissed as minor lapses in concentration, these incidents so soon became impossible to ignore. Her mother, once confident and independent, was diagnosed with early-onset dementia at just 50 years old.
Staff feature
Mashaal Hooda is a Research Specialist at the Brain and Mind Institute, merging education and mental health research to create impactful community solutions. With a strong academic foundation in educational leadership and a commitment to serving underserved populations, her journey has been shaped by a passion for understanding cultural contexts and fostering resilience. In this Q&A, Mashaal shares insights on her innovative projects in Pakistan, the importance of co-creation in research, and the personal values that drive her work. She also reflects on how balancing professional and personal interests fuels her commitment to mental health advocacy.
Mashaal Hooda is a Research Specialist at the Brain and Mind Institute, merging education and mental health research to create impactful community solutions. With a strong academic foundation in educational leadership and a commitment to serving underserved populations, her journey has been shaped by a passion for understanding cultural contexts and fostering resilience. In this Q&A, Mashaal shares insights on her innovative projects in Pakistan, the importance of co-creation in research, and the personal values that drive her work. She also reflects on how balancing professional and personal interests fuels her commitment to mental health advocacy.
Research highlights
AFRICA-FINGERS: Pioneering Dementia prevention for healthier aging in Africa
Location: Kenya and Nigeria (and 12 other African countries)
The AFRICA-FINGERS trial is a groundbreaking study aimed at reducing dementia risk in Africa. Building on the successful FINGER trial, which showed that a program of diet, exercise, brain training, social activities, and health monitoring helps older adults stay healthy, this trial will adapt the approach for African settings. The five-year study will involve 600 participants at risk of dementia in Kenya and Nigeria, in both urban and rural areas. Local experts will help tailor the program to fit diverse cultures, ensuring its relevance and effectiveness. The goal is to create a dementia prevention model for use in Africa and other resource-limited settings globally, providing valuable insights for communities often underrepresented in health research. Join us in advancing dementia prevention and promoting healthy aging.
Developing ethical guidelines for neuroscience in Africa
Location: Kenya (Kilifi) and South Africa
As neuroscience advances, it raises ethical questions about how we use new knowledge about the brain, especially in diverse cultural contexts like Africa. This project brings together scientists, traditional healers, and people with brain conditions to create guidelines that respect African cultural values and needs. By using a collaborative approach, known as the
Modified Delphi, we’ll gather input from a variety of experts to ensure the ethical challenges of neuroscience in Africa are addressed. This will help ensure Africa’s unique voice is part of the global conversation on brain research.
Art for change - Challenging the stigma of neurological disordersLocation: Kilifi, Kenya
Neurological disorders, like epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease, often come with social stigma. In Kenya, some people with these conditions are even accused of witchcraft. This project will use art to raise awareness and reduce stigma in the Kilifi community. Through interviews, workshops, and local arts festivals, we’ll co-create artistic pieces with people affected by these disorders. By sharing their stories through art, we hope to foster understanding and reduce misconceptions, improving how these conditions are viewed in society.
Transforming community wellbeing: The Living Labs initiative in Northern PakistanLocation: Pakistan
In an innovative approach to addressing mental health in underserved areas, BMI has established two regions in Northern Pakistan—Ghizer and Upper Chitral—as "Living Labs" for long-term research on mental wellbeing. This initiative, developed in partnership with the Aga Khan Health Service, Pakistan (AKHSP), integrates community-based research with targeted interventions to tackle pressing issues such as depression, substance use, family violence, and the prevention of age-related conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Publication highlight
Why Kenya needs higher taxes on cigarettes, vapes, and nicotine pouches/strong>
Bulletin of the World Health Organization by Cyprian Mostert
See summary below
The problem
New threats and key highlights
Just released! BMI’s Suicide prevention and mental health consultant, Prof. Murad Khan, has edited an important new book:
Suicide Across Cultures: Understanding the Variation and Complexity of the Suicidal Process Across Ethnicities and Cultures.
This work dives deep into how suicide manifests differently across cultural and ethnic groups, offering a more nuanced understanding of prevention on a global scale.
A big congratulations to Murad Khan for this significant contribution!
Latest publications
Authors:
Andrew Aballa, Chi Udeh Momoh, Cyprian Mostert, Edna Bosire, Jasmit Shah, Lukoye Atwoli, Linda Khakali, Lucy Wambui, Willie Njoroge, Zul Merali
Journals:
Bulletin of the WHO, Global Heart, PLOS ONE, BMJ Leader, Comprehensive Psychiatry, Qualitative Health Research, Alzheimer's & Dementia, JMIR XR and Spatial Computing, PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH.
Upcoming events
Unveiling study findings: Shedding light on dementia challenges in Kenya
Event date: November 2024
Dementia, a condition that impairs memory and cognitive function, is becoming more prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, including East Africa. Despite this growing concern, there remains limited information about the condition, particularly in Kenya, where culturally appropriate diagnostic tools are lacking.
In response to this gap, an ethnographic study led by Dr. Edna Bosire, Medical Anthropologist, BMI, with support from the Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative, sought to better understand dementia care in Kenya. The findings of the study will be launched this November and will highlight the optimism of patients and caregivers regarding treatment, but it also uncovers significant challenges. Many families struggle with the high costs of care and the lack of skills needed to manage dementia at home.
AFRICA-FINGERS: Pioneering Dementia prevention for healthier aging in Africa
Launch date: December 4, 2024
Event Recap
Introducing New Research Staff at BMI
