Brain - START (Scalable Technologies for the Assessment and Rescue of Brain Health) is a multi-country research initiative led by the Brain and Mind Institute to improve early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) in underserved populations. The project focuses on Kenya and Pakistan, where the majority of dementia cases are rising but existing diagnostic tools, largely developed in high-income settings, often fail to reflect local languages, education levels and lived experiences. Brain START addresses this gap by validating a culturally adaptable, integrated detection toolkit that combines digital cognitive assessments, speech-based analysis and blood-based biomarkers to enable accurate and accessible diagnosis.
The study uses a phased, real-world approach by first validating these tools in clinical settings, then scaling them to rural and community-based care through task-shifting models that empower frontline health workers. Advanced data science and machine learning are applied to identify population-specific risk factors and improve prediction models. By generating regionally relevant evidence and scalable solutions, Brain START aims to transform how dementia is detected and managed in low-resource settings, while also informing care for similar underserved populations globally, including resource-limited communities in high-income countries.
Funder: National Institute of Aging
