APOE E4 is associated with impaired self-declared cognition but not disease risk or age of onset in Nigerians with Parkinson's disease

The relationship between APOE polymorphisms and Parkinson's disease (PD) in black Africans has not been previously investigated. We evaluated the association between APOE polymorphic variability and self-declared cognition in 1100 Nigerians with PD and 1097 age-matched healthy controls. Cognition in PD was assessed using the single item cognition question (item 1.1) of the MDS-UPDRS. APOE genotype and allele frequencies did not differ between PD and controls (p > 0.05). No allelic or genotypic association was observed between APOE and age at onset of PD. In PD, APOE ε4/ε4 conferred a two-fold risk of cognitive impairment compared to one or no ε4 (HR: 2.09 (95% CI: 1.13-3.89; p = 0.02)), while APOE ε2 was associated with modest protection against cognitive impairment (HR: 0.41 (95% CI 0.19-0.99, p = 0.02)). Of 773 PD with motor phenotype and APOE characterized, tremor-dominant (TD) phenotype predominated significantly in ε2 carriers (87/135, 64.4%) compared to 22.2% in persons with postural instability/gait difficulty (PIGD) (30/135) and 13.3% in indeterminate (ID) (18/135, 13.3%) (p = 0.037). Although the frequency of the TD phenotype was highest in homozygous ε2 carriers (85.7%), the distribution of motor phenotypes across the six genotypes did not differ significantly (p = 0.18). Altogether, our findings support previous studies in other ethnicities, implying a role for APOE ε4 and ε2 as risk and protective factors, respectively, for cognitive impairment in PD

The role of community advisory boards in enhancing recruitment and retention in Alzheimer\u27s disease and related dementia research in Africa: Experience from the READD-ADSP study

\ua9 2025 The Author(s). Alzheimer\u27s & Dementia published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Alzheimer\u27s Association.INTRODUCTION: The Recruitment and Retention of Alzheimer\u27s Disease Diversity Genetic Cohorts in the Alzheimer\u27s Disease Sequencing Project (READD–ADSP) was established to bridge the gap in Alzheimer\u27s disease and related dementias (ADRD) research in Africa. We examined the role of Community Advisory Boards (CABs) in improving participant recruitment and retention in ADRD research in Africa, by exploring how culturally sensitive engagement, community trust-building, and stakeholder involvement influence research participation. METHODS: A multi-site, multi-phased qualitative study approach that involved establishment of CABs, initial planning meetings and community engagement cum recruitment activities. RESULTS: Twenty-one CABs (141 members) were established across 14 study sites in 9 African Dementia Consortium (AfDC) member countries. Co-creation planning meetings, culturally sensitive outreaches for brain health, dementia awareness creation, and recruitment were held. DISCUSSION: Establishing CABs within the READD–ADSP project has proven instrumental in co-creating culturally appropriate and community-centered strategies for recruitment and retention in ADRD research in Africa. Highlights: The Recruitment and Retention of Alzheimer\u27s Disease Diversity Genetic Cohorts in the Alzheimer\u27s Disease Sequencing Project (READD-ADSP) project utilizes a community-engaged research (CER) framework to develop a community engagement program and establish Community Advisory Boards (CABs) to enhance participant recruitment and retention. There is a need to standardize CER practices and promote context-sensitive and culturally appropriate CE activities across African Dementia Consortium (AfDC) sites to ensure cultural sensitivity and enhance recruitment and retention. The project seeks to empower CABs to promote national dementia policies by collaborating with policy-makers and advancing equitable dementia scienced and care in Africa

Recruitment and Retention for Alzheimer\u27s Disease Diversity Genetic Cohorts in the ADSP (READD-ADSP): A global effort to identify genetic factors in Alzheimer\u27s disease

\ua9 2025 The Author(s). Alzheimer\u27s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Alzheimer\u27s Association.INTRODUCTION: Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD) remains a major neurocognitive disorder of global health significance. Globalizing ancestral diversity in AD genetics is essential to identify causal variants, improve diagnosis, and enable equitable therapeutic interventions across populations. The Recruitment and Retention for Alzheimer\u27s Disease Diversity Genetic Cohorts in the ADSP (READD-ADSP) initiative addresses this by including African ancestry and Hispanic/Latinx (HL) ancestry populations. METHODS: READD-ADSP, a case–control study, aims to recruit, evaluate, and retain 13,000 participants: 5000 Indigenous Africans, 4000 African Americans, and 4000 Hispanic/Latinix individuals. In Africa, recruitment involves nine sub-Saharan African countries under the African Dementia Consortium, and with protocols ensuring standardized data collection, phenotype harmonization, culturally informed diagnostic algorithms, and robust community engagement. RESULTS: Study pparticipants are recruited, ascertained and retained. Blood samples and fractions (DNA, plasma, RNA) are biobanked for genomic, epigenomic, proteomic, and transcriptomic analyses. DISCUSSION: This study will advance precision ADRD medicine and establish a model for working with diverse global cohorts of brain disorders. Highlights: Recruitment and Retention for Alzheimer\u27s Disease Diversity Genetic Cohorts in the ADSP (READD-ADSP) addresses critical gaps in Alzheimer\u27s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) research by including underrepresented groups. The study recruits 13,000 participants of African, African American, and Hispanic/Latinx ancestries. Standardized protocols enable rigorous phenotyping and harmonization across diverse populations. Findings will inform precision medicine and reduce health disparities in ADRD outcomes

Developing biobanking processes for Alzheimer\u27s disease and related dementia research in Africa: Experience from the Recruitment and Retention for Alzheimer\u27s Disease Diversity in the Alzheimer\u27s Disease Sequencing Project (READD-ADSP)

\ua9 2025 The Author(s). Alzheimer\u27s & Dementia published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Alzheimer\u27s Association.The Recruitment and Retention for Alzheimer\u27s Disease Diversity in the Alzheimer\u27s Disease Sequencing Project (READD-ADSP) aims to recruit 5000 African participants (Alzheimer\u27s disease [AD] and cognitively unimpaired controls) to generate genomic and biomarker data to better characterize AD neurobiology in Africa from countries that constitute the African Dementia Consortium (AfDC). Blood samples from study participants are separated into fractions and transported to the African Coordinating Centre (ACC: Ibadan, Nigeria), where DNA extraction and long-term biospecimen storage are carried out. Plasma and DNA aliquots are shipped to the John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami (HIHG-UM, Miami, USA) for genotyping, whole genome sequencing, and biomarker analysis. Innovative solutions were devised to mitigate challenges encountered so far. Our biobanking experience in a low-resource setting demonstrates the feasibility of establishing a successful African biobanking network, as an important infrastructure to support Alzheimer\u27s disease and related dementias research in Africa. Highlights: Biobanking is gaining grounds in Africa in studies related to neurological disorders. The Recruitment and Retention for Alzheimer\u27s Disease Diversity in the Alzheimer\u27s Disease Sequencing Project (READD-ADSP) biobanking network is a new initiative to enhance infrastructure for Alzheimer\u27s disease and related dementias (ADRD) research in Africa through the African Dementia Consortium. The processes of the stepwise creation and development of the READD-ADSP biobanking network have been guided by global best practices and regulatory standards. Challenges were encountered in the process of establishing the READD-ADSP biobank, and home-grown solutions were developed to mitigate the challenges. The READD-ADSP biobanking experience offers lessons to researchers in low-resource settings on how collaborative efforts between the global north and global south enhance cutting-edge team science to tackle ageing-associated brain disorders in low- and middle-income countries

Characterization of Electroencephalographic Findings at an Electrodiagnostic Unit of a Tertiary Hospital, North-central Nigeria

Electroencephalography (EEG) remains an important investigative tool in supporting the diagnosis and classification of various seizure types. We sought to examine and characterize the EEG findings from all patients referred for the procedure. This cross-sectional retrospective study was carried out at an EEG unit in Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, Benue State, North Central Nigeria from May 2016 to December 2020. Relevant patients' information were extracted and analysed using SPSS version 21. A total of 484 patients were seen over the study period with age range of 1-87 years and median age of 23 years. They comprised of 254 (52.5%) male and 230 (47.5%) female. The psychiatrist and the Physicians/Neurologist referred most of them for EEG, 201 (41.5%) and 124 (25.6%) respectively. The most reported indication for EEG was clinical suspicion of seizure disorder 291 (60.1%), whilst some did not have a clear indication 111 (22.9%). About 417 (86.2%) of our patients had abnormal EEG finding out of which 414 (99.3%) were diagnostic of seizure disorder made up of generalized seizure in 255 (61.6%) and focal seizure in 159 (38.4%). About 237 (48.9%) of them were already on antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) at referral of which 190 (80.2%0 were taking carbamazepine. This study showed a high prevalence of abnormal EEG with most of them diagnostic of seizure disorder especially generalized seizure. They were mostly of younger age group with about half of them already on AEDs at referral, majority of who were sent by the Psychiatrist.</jats:p

Haemorrhagic Stroke Complicating Systemic Envenomation in Snake Bite: A Case Report and Literature Review

Introduction: Snakebite is a neglected tropical public health problem that is common in Nigeria. The occurrence of haemorrhagic stroke following snakebite envenomation is a rare medical emergency. Aim: To describe the neurological complications that occurred after snakebite envenomation. Methodology: This is a hospital-based case report of a 17-year woman who presented at the Emergency unit of Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi Benue State Nigeria 18 days after snake bite with 10 days of progressive loss of consciousness and associated difficulty in opening the right eye, weakness of the left hemi-body, weeping spells and difficulty in swallowing with no background cardiovascular risk factor. She had been managed by a traditional medicine healer immediately after the snakebite. Results: At presentation, she had Glasgow Coma Scale of 7/15, restlessness, and mildly pale with weeping spell and a healed scar on her right leg. Other neurological examinations revealed right ptosis, right oculomotor nerve palsy, upper motor neuron type of left facial nerve palsy (multiple cranial nerve palsies), aphasia and crossed hemiplegia indicating Weber’s syndrome (midbrain stroke syndrome).&nbsp; She made good clinical recovery of her neurologic deficits. Conclusion: Our report highlights the need to suspect and exclude haemorrhagic stroke in victims presenting with loss of consciousness and lateralizing signs using brain CT scan. Public enlightenment is needed to enhance early presentation following snakebite