Improving dementia research and care in French-speaking sub‑Saharan Africa
Official title: Building Unique Infrastructure for Large-scale Dementia research in French-Speaking Africa (BUILD-FSA) Project
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Science Center · NIH-11472904 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will build local teams, tools, and networks to better understand Alzheimer’s and related dementias for older adults and their families in French‑speaking parts of sub‑Saharan Africa.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Science Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $274,600 |
| NIH project number | 3UG3AG090675-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11472904 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are older adults and their caregivers living in French‑speaking countries of sub‑Saharan Africa who have memory problems, suspected dementia, or who want to join dementia research.
✕Less likely to help
People who live outside French‑speaking sub‑Saharan Africa or who do not take part in local research activities are unlikely to see immediate benefits from this project.
What this research studies
This effort partners with clinics, hospitals, and communities in French‑speaking sub‑Saharan Africa to collect health information, biological samples, and culturally adapted memory tests. It will train local clinicians and researchers, translate and adapt assessment tools, and set up data systems so patients and caregivers can take part in studies locally. By creating lasting infrastructure and partnerships, future studies and clinical trials that include people from these under‑studied populations will be possible. The focus is on regions and communities that currently lack services and dementia research capacity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to earlier diagnosis, better access to culturally appropriate care, and research that produces prevention and treatment approaches that work for people in French‑speaking Africa.
How similar studies have gone: Other African capacity‑building and cohort projects have improved diagnosis and research participation, but dedicated programs focused on French‑speaking sub‑Saharan Africa are limited, so this approach is partly proven yet novel for that region.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Science Center
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fongang, Bernard — University of Texas Hlth Science Center
- Study coordinator: Fongang, Bernard
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.