Understanding ADHD in Children in Kenya and South Africa
Official title: 2/3 Akili: Phenotypic and genetic characterization of ADHD in Kenya and South Africa
Funded at Aga Khan University (Kenya) · NIH-11114065 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to learn more about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) by looking at the genes and characteristics of children in Kenya and South Africa.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Aga Khan University (Kenya) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nairobi, Kenya) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $514,809 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH132965-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11114065 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children aged 0-11 years old in Kenya and South Africa, both those with a confirmed ADHD diagnosis and those without, are ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside of Kenya and South Africa, or adults, would not directly participate in this specific data collection effort.
What this research studies
We are inviting 6,000 children in Kenya and South Africa to help us understand ADHD better. This includes 4,000 children who have been diagnosed with ADHD and 2,000 children who do not have ADHD, serving as a comparison group. Each child will complete a series of activities to understand their behavior, thinking skills, and medical history, and will also provide a DNA sample. By studying these details and their genetic information, we hope to uncover new insights into ADHD, especially in diverse populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could help clarify the biological causes of ADHD, its different forms, and how it relates to other brain conditions, particularly by including a large and diverse group of participants.
How similar studies have gone: While genetic studies of ADHD exist, this project significantly expands sample size and ancestral diversity, addressing known gaps in current research.
Where this research is happening
-
Aga Khan University (Kenya)
Nairobi, Kenya Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ali, Amina Abubakar — Aga Khan University (Kenya)
- Study coordinator: Ali, Amina Abubakar
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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.