Understanding ADHD in Kenyan and South African children through genetics and deep clinical data
Official title: 2/3 Akili: Phenotypic and genetic characterization of ADHD in Kenya and South Africa
Funded at Aga Khan University (Kenya) · NIH-11371186 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large study will collect genetic and detailed health information from 6,000 children in Kenya and South Africa to better understand ADHD.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $498,881 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH132965-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11371186 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are children aged 0-11 years old in Kenya or South Africa, with a confirmed ADHD diagnosis or no ADHD, and whose families consent to genetic testing and detailed phenotyping.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not experience direct clinical benefits from the research, but contribute to valuable scientific knowledge.
What this research studies
This project will enroll 6,000 children—4,000 with ADHD and 2,000 without—across Kenya and South Africa and collect in-depth behavioral, cognitive, and medical data along with DNA samples. Researchers will perform exome sequencing and genome-wide genotyping to link genetic factors with ADHD features. The team will share all data and materials publicly to advance global ADHD research. The effort combines precise clinical phenotyping with genetic analysis to clarify biology and heterogeneity of ADHD in diverse populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could lead to better understanding of ADHD biology and pave the way for more personalized approaches to diagnosis and treatment, especially in African populations.
How similar studies have gone: Past ADHD genetic studies have grown significantly with larger sample sizes; this study expands the diversity and size specifically in African populations, building on prior foundations.
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.