What is next in African neuroscience?

A Donald, Kirsten and Maina, Mahmoud and Patel, Nilesh and Nguemeni, Carine and Mohamed, Wael Mohamed Yousef and Abubakar, Amina A. and Brown, Matthew and Stoyanova, Raliza and Welchman, Andrew and Walker, Natasha and Willett, Alexis and M Kariuki,, Symon and Figaji, Anthony and Stein, Dan J and O Ihunwo, Amadi and Daniels, William and Newton, Charles R (2022) What is next in African neuroscience? eLife. pp. 1-7. ISSN 2050-084X

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Abstract

Working in Africa provides neuroscientists with opportunities that are not available in other continents. Populations in this region exhibit the greatest genetic diversity; they live in ecosystems with diverse flora and fauna; and they face unique stresses to brain health, including child brain health and development, due to high levels of traumatic brain injury and diseases endemic to the region. However, the neuroscience community in Africa has yet to reach its full potential. In this article we report the outcomes from a series of meetings at which the African neuroscience community came together to identify barriers and opportunities, and to discuss ways forward. This exercise resulted in the identification of six domains of distinction in African neuroscience: the diverse DNA of African populations; diverse flora, fauna and ecosystems for comparative research; child brain health and development; the impact of climate change on mental and neurological health; access to clinical populations with important conditions less prevalent in the global North; and resourcefulness in the reuse and adaption of existing technologies and resources to answer new questions. The article also outlines plans to advance the field of neuroscience in Africa in order to unlock the potential of African neuroscientists to address regional and global mental health and neurological problems.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Subjects:	R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Medicine Kulliyyah of Medicine > Department of Basic Medical
Depositing User:	Dr Wael Mohamed
Date Deposited:	24 Jun 2022 14:45
Last Modified:	24 Jun 2022 14:45
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/98489

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