LEAD Africa: advancing Alzheimer’s research across Africa
Official title: Leading expandable research in Alzheimer's disease in Africa (LEAD Africa)
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-11599552 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new project aims to build Alzheimer’s disease research capabilities in Africa to improve understanding and care for people with dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $95,288 |
| NIH project number | 3UG3AG090672-02S3 |
| Project ID | NIH-11599552 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals in Africa or of African descent who are at risk for or living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias and who can participate in research activities.
✕Less likely to help
People without access to smartphone-enabled data collection or who cannot participate in research procedures may see little direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project plans to create a practical framework for conducting AD/ADRD research in Africa, using scalable methods and affordable data collection. It will collaborate with partners in Ghana, Tanzania, the Republic of the Congo, and the U.S. to establish shared protocols and infrastructure. The approach leverages smartphones and point-of-care blood testing to enable data collection in diverse settings, including rural areas. Over two years, the team will implement an Exploratory/Development phase to lay the groundwork for precision medicine in African populations affected by dementia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could accelerate access to personalized dementia research and care for people in Africa and contribute to global understanding of AD/ADRD.
How similar studies have gone: Previous precision medicine efforts have shown promise when diverse populations are included, but this represents a novel regional infrastructure development in Africa.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Au, Rhoda — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Au, Rhoda
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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.