Submission ID 117482
| Issue/Objective | According the World Health Organization (WHO), Alzheimer's disease and dementia is expected to increase by 204% by 2050 affecting approximately 150 million people globally. An approximate projection suggests that over 68% of persons-with-dementia are expected to reside in low-or-middle-income countries (LMIC) within Africa. Although there is a lack of information on basic and translational science (i.e. neuroimaging, neuropathological and genomic studies) of dementia in Africa, there is access to non-invasive in vivo imaging modalities such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to contribute and grow the dementia literature within the community. However, the challenge remains in trained research personnel in LMICs to spearhead experimental studies. To address this gap, we launched a hybrid training initiative led by an interdisciplinary team of imaging scientists and graduate trainees across North America to deliver neuroimaging acquisition and analysis workshops to junior researchers on sites across Africa. |
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| Methodology/Approach | CONNExIN (COmprehensive Neuroimaging aNalysis Experience In resource constraiNed settings) is a collaborative hybrid training initiative with a joint effort with AFRICA-FINGERS and the Consortium for Advancement of MRI Education and Research in Africa (CAMERA). CONNExIN (event.fourwaves.com/connexin) implements RAD-AID's Teach-Try-Use strategy that delivered MRI acquisition and analysis proficiencies through focused seminars and hands-on skills development. |
| Results | This 15-week hybrid program overlapped with on-site training at Aga Khan University (Nairobi, Kenya) and Crestview Radiology (Lagos, Nigeria) where researchers and clinicians (n=30): 1) implemented a 1.5T/3T harmonized MRI protocol optimized for dementia research in Africa, 2) received 100 hours of no-cost MRI acquisition, analysis, and dementia research training, and 3) were trained to analyze data from common MRI techniques (e.g., diffusion, structural, functional, and spectroscopy). All materials and imaging data were made publicly available and disseminated at github.com/CAMERA-MRI/. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | CONNExIN is actively contributing towards furthering investigations of dementia and similar disorders in Africa. These initiatives have been extended to countries in Asia to expand our understanding of unique socio-cultural effects that could contribute towards our understanding of dementia. Furthermore, this hybrid training initiative collectively provided a trainee to trainer experience in fostering strong collaborations with LMICs further advocating for policies and sustainable and flexible mechanisms for delivering research expertise to advancing LMICs in basic and translational research. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Kesavi Kanagasabai Lawson Health Resource Institute Njideka Okubadejo College of Medicine Farouk Dako Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Sheila Waaa Brain and Mind Institute Thomas Thesen Geisel School of Medicine Ethan Draper Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, Canada Harrison Aduluwa Montreal Neurological Institute Jasmine Cakmak Montreal Neurological Institute Abiodun Fatade Medical Artificial Intelligence Lab Chi-Udeh Momoh Brain and Mind Institute Udunna Anazodo Montreal Neurological Institute |
