Identifying sex- and gender-specific endocrinological, lifestyle, psychosocial, and socio-cultural targets for Alzheimer's disease prevention in Africans: the female brain health and endocrine research in Africa (FemBER-Africa) project

Dementia rates are rising globally, with the burden increasing most rapidly in low- to middle-income countries. Despite this, research into Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) among African populations remains limited, with existing models based on Western cohorts that overlook sex-, gender-, and ancestry-specific factors. The Female Brain Health and Endocrine Research in Africa (FemBER-Africa) project, hosted at the Brain and Mind Institute, Aga Khan University, Kenya, will establish a deeply phenotyped cohort of 250 African individuals across the ADRD spectrum. It will assess sex-specific risk factors linked to ethnicity, lifestyle, and endocrinological variables using fluid-based biomarkers (blood and saliva), neuroimaging (magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography), and culturally adapted cognitive tests. By comparing data with Western and diasporic cohorts, the study aims to identify ancestry-specific and shared mechanisms driving ADRD risk and progression. The findings will support targeted, culturally relevant prevention and intervention strategies, addressing the underrepresentation of African populations in global dementia research.

Highlights

By 2030, > 78 million individuals are expected to have dementia, with the highest burden among women in low- to middle-income countries. Despite this, African populations remain underrepresented in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) research.

Existing ADRD risk models fail to account for the unique influence of sex, gender, and ancestry on dementia risk. Female-specific reproductive and hormonal factors, including menopause transition and hormone therapy use, are poorly integrated into current models.

The Female Brain Health and Endocrine Research in Africa (FemBER-Africa) project is the first large-scale study to examine sex- or gender-specific and endocrine contributors to ADRD in an African population, using advanced diagnostic, biomarker, and culturally adapted cognitive assessments.

The study will assess how biological (hormonal, metabolic), lifestyle (physical activity, diet), and socio-cultural (education, health-care access) factors interact to influence ADRD risk in African women.

Insights from FemBER-Africa will inform the development of sex- and gender-specific, culturally adapted ADRD prevention strategies, enhancing the precision and equity of dementia mitigation efforts globally.