Healthy brain ageing is shaped long before old age, according to preliminary findings from the Brain Resilience Kenya (BRK) Study shared during the Community Dissemination Workshop and Health Fair on July 10, 2026. The event brought together study participants, community members, and researchers to discuss the study's findings and explore how they can inform healthier communities and better policies for healthy brain ageing.
Led by Dr. Chi Udeh-Momoh, Translational Neuroscientist, Dr. Karen Blackmon, Consultant Neuropsychologist at the Brain & Mind Institute, and Prof. Mansoor Saleh, Director of the Clinical Research Unit, the three-year study examined more than 404 Kenyan adults. It combined advanced brain imaging, comprehensive cognitive assessments, blood-based biomarkers and community engagement to better understand why some individuals maintain healthy brain function despite experiencing significant life challenges.
The study found that the conditions people experience throughout life, from childhood and education to cardiovascular health, social connections and economic wellbeing, have a profound influence on how well their brains age. One of the study’s most significant preliminary findings was that poverty may have a greater impact on healthy brain ageing than a recent diagnosis of breast or prostate cancer.
Highlighting the importance of understanding not only what causes illness, but also what helps people remain healthy and resilient throughout life, Prof. Zul Merali, Founding Director of the Brain & Mind Institute, said, “This study is a reminder that resilience is not something we are simply born with. It can be nurtured by families, strengthened by communities, supported by health systems and encouraged through public policy.”
Understanding the Science of Brain Resilience
The findings showed that resilience is built over a lifetime through the interaction of biological, psychological, social and environmental factors. They also highlighted that healthy brain ageing can be strengthened through supportive families, healthier communities, responsive health systems, and public policies.
Providing further insight into the findings, Dr. Karen Blackmon explained that the study’s use of advanced brain imaging and cognitive assessments offered a more comprehensive understanding of brain resilience. “Advanced brain imaging and cognitive assessments gave us valuable insights into how the brain responds to life’s challenges and what supports healthy brain ageing and resilience,” she said.
Combined with participants' lived experiences, she noted, the findings showed that resilience is shaped by both biology and environment, providing important evidence to guide future interventions that promote cognitive health.
Implications for Cancer Care
Beyond its broader findings on healthy brain ageing, the study also explored how cancer and its treatment influence brain health, offering important insights for patient care.
Prof. Mansoor Saleh, Director of the Clinical Research Unit, said the findings underscore the need for a more holistic approach to cancer care. “These findings remind us that brain health is influenced by more than disease alone. Alongside treating cancer, we must also promote heart health, mental wellbeing and strong social support to improve quality of life and healthy ageing.”
Building Brain Resilience Across the Life Course
Funded through Wellcome Leap’s Dynamic Resilience Programme with support from Temasek Trust, the Brain Resilience Kenya Study highlights the need to invest in quality education, good nutrition, cardiovascular health, supportive relationships, and safe communities to strengthen resilience and help more people maintain cognitive health as they age.
