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| Director’s Message Momentum for brain and mental health across continents |
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| Dear Colleagues and Friends,
This past quarter has been both energising and inspiring for the Brain and Mind Institute (BMI). Across Africa and South Asia, we have seen encouraging progress. Stronger partnerships, new initiatives and growing momentum for brain and mental health research that is rooted in local leadership and global collaboration. One highlight was the DELTAS Africa Scientific Meeting in Cape Town, held under the theme “A Decade of Excellence: Advancing Science, Strengthening Partnerships for Africa’s Future.” As I moderated and chaired a session on Noncommunicable Diseases, Mental Health and Neuroscience, the message was clear; African-led research, backed by resilient institutions and authentic community engagement, is key to turning science into solutions. |
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| | | | DR Alaka’s CINP fellowship journey: A milestone in global recognition for brain health researchDr. Benard Alaka, a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Brain and Mind Institute, has successfully completed the 2025 International College of Neuropsychopharmacology (CINP) Research Fellowship, a globally competitive programme that recognises early career researchers who demonstrate exceptional promise in neuropsychopharmacology and mental health research. |
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| Africa’s 6 × 5 Plan: A roadmap for brain health and economic resilienceWhen we co-hosted the 2024 Nature Conference in Nairobi with Nature Portfolio and the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative (DAC), the goal was ambitious; to put Africa’s brain health crisis firmly on the global agenda. Out of that gathering of researchers, policymakers and advocates has come something transformative, a continent-wide strategy to safeguard brain health while strengthening economic resilience. In August, Nature Medicine published the outcome of that work. The 6 × 5 Plan is a five-year roadmap that sets out six priority actions for African nations to tackle the growing challenges of dementia, Alzheimer’s and other brain health conditions. |
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| | | | | Kenya’s faith leaders demand repeal of suicide lawReligious leaders in Kenya have called on the National Assembly of Kenya to urgently repeal Section 226 of the Penal Code, which criminalises attempted suicide. The call was made during the Religious Leaders Forum on Suicide Prevention and Decriminalisation, organised by the Ministry of Health, Kenya in collaboration with Aga Khan University’s Brain and Mind Institute, the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK), Chiromo Hospital Group, and the Kenya Psychiatric Association on September 15, 2025. |
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| Africa FINGERS team engages communities in Kilifi County to address dementiaThe Brain and Mind Institute carried out a series of community and health system engagement activities in Kilifi County from August 25–29, 2025, as part of the Africa FINGERS program. Supported by the UK’s Medical Research Council (MRC) and the FINGERS Brain Health Institute, the initiative seeks to adapt proven dementia prevention strategies to African realities and promote healthier aging. |
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| Publication Highlight
How resilience protects the brain across the lifespan |
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| Authors: Catherine Ajalo, Chinedu Udeh-Momoh, Cyprian Mostert, Edna Bosire, Jasmit Shah, Karen Blackmon, Lukoye Atwoli, Pauline Samia, Rachel Maina, Zul Merali |
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| Journals: Alzheimer’s & Dementia, BMC Nutrition, IBRO Neuroscience, IJID Regions, Molecular Neurodegeneration, Nature Medicine, Nature Reviews Neurology, Psychiatry Research, SSM – Mental Health, Value in Health Regional Issues |
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| | | | Same brain, different stages webinar |
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| Hybrid forum on adverse childhood experiences |
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| BMI team participates in DS-I Africa consortium meetingDr. Jasmit Shah (Data Scientist) and Linda Khakali (Project Manager) represented the Brain and Mind Institute at the 5th DS-I Africa Consortium Meeting, which convened researchers, funders, technologists, early-career scientists and public health leaders to explore how data science and advanced technology can strengthen public health across Africa. Their contributions included leading discussions on strategies to enhance Data for Health in Africa and presenting findings from the UZIMA-DS study. The study highlights significant mental health concerns among university students in Kenya, including high rates of social anxiety, binge eating, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and ADHD. |
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| | New research staff at BMI |
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