AfrAbia Society (AAS): The Secret Ingredient for Advancing AfrAbia Neuroscience Research
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Date
2022-07-31
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Abstract
Africa is marked by a higher frequency of illnesses, trauma, and violence, as well as greater exposure to toxic substances and malnutrition, against a backdrop of far greater genetic variety. All these variables present potential for the neuroscience community in Africa to achieve breakthroughs in fundamental research and develop personalized therapies to boost brain health and well-being throughout the continent. While the high incidence of mental, neurological, and substance-use problems presents unique challenges to the African neuroscience community (Feigin et al., 2017; Feigin et al., 2019), the possibilities are also equally great. For instance, low physician-to-patient ratios expose the average clinician to a high number of patients, hence enhancing possibilities for field-specific competence development. This increased clinical exposure generates topics of study that are directly relevant to the local community, and improves the viability clinical studies, which helps not only the African community, but also the Global North. Recruiting participants for clinical studies on traumatic brain injury, for instance, takes less time in Africa than in Europe. Lastly, there is ample opportunity for clinically oriented neuroscience research to enhance healthcare in Africa, particularly for young people. Specific objectives include the improvement of developmental potential and mental health, as well as the alleviation of mortality and neurological impairment.
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Advancement, AfrAbia, Neuroscience