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Besharati S, Akinyemi R. Accelerating African neuroscience to provide an equitable framework using perspectives from West and Southern Africa. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8107. [PMID: 38062039 PMCID: PMC10703764 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43943-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sahba Besharati
- Department of Psychology, School of Human and Community Development, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
- CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars Program, CIFAR, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Rufus Akinyemi
- Neuroscience and Ageing Research Unit, Institute for Advanced Medical Research and Training, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
- Centre for Genomic and Precision Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
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Bowen I, Toor H, Zampella B, Doe A, King C, Miulli DE. Infrastructural Limitations in Establishing Neurosurgical Specialty Services in Liberia. Cureus 2022; 14:e29373. [PMID: 36284802 PMCID: PMC9584543 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.29373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Liberia recently employed the first neurosurgeon in the country’s history. In a country with a population of 4.7 million people and staggering rates of cranial and spine trauma, as well as hydrocephalus and neural tube defects, neurosurgery is considered a luxury. Our study documents the experience of a team of neurosurgeons, critical care nurses, scrub technicians, nurses, and biomedical engineers who carried out a series of neurosurgical clinics and complex brain and spine surgeries in Liberia. Specifically, we aim to highlight some of the larger obstacles, beyond staff and equipment, facing the development of a neurosurgical or any other specialty practice in Liberia. Methods Our institutions, in collaboration with the Korle-Bu Neuroscience Foundation, spent 10 days in Liberia, based in Tappita, and performed 18 surgeries in addition to seeing several hundred clinic patients. This is a retrospective review of the cases performed along with outcomes to investigate obstacles in providing neurosurgical services in the country. Results Before arriving in Liberia, we evaluated, planned, and supplied staff and materials for treating complex neurosurgical patients. Sixteen patients underwent 18 surgeries at a hospital in Tappita, Liberia, in November 2018. Their ages ranged from 1 month to 72 years (average 20 years). Five patients (28%) were female. Ten patients (56%) were under the age of 18. Surgeries included ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VP-shunt), lumbar myelomeningocele repair, encephalocele repair, laminectomy, and a craniotomy for tumor resection. Ten patients (55%) underwent VP-shunting. Two patients (11%) had a craniotomy for tumor resection. Three patients (17%) had laminectomy for lumbar stenosis. Two patients (11%) had repair of lumbar myelomeningocele. Conclusion After an aggressive and in-depth approach to planning, conducting, and supplying complex neurosurgical procedures in Liberia, the greatest limiting factor to successful outcomes lie in real-time is access to health care, which is largely limited by overall infrastructure. Our study documents the experience of a team of neurosurgeons, critical care nurses, scrub technicians, nurses, and biomedical engineers who carried out a series of neurosurgical clinics and complex brain and spine surgeries in Liberia. Specifically, we aim to highlight some of the larger obstacles, beyond staff and equipment, facing the development of a neurosurgical or any other specialty procedural practice in the country of Liberia. Most notably, we focus on infrastructure factors, including power, roads, water, education, and overall health care.
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Samia P, Hassell J, Hudson J, Ahmed A, Shah J, Hammond C, Kija E, Auvin S, Wilmshurst J. Epilepsy research in Africa: A scoping review by the ILAE Pediatric Commission Research Advocacy Task Force. Epilepsia 2022; 63:2225-2241. [PMID: 35729725 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Revised: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite the high prevalence of epilepsy in Africa, evaluation of epilepsy research trends on the continent is lacking. Without establishing effective research, improvement in care for people with epilepsy cannot be effectively strategized or targeted. METHODS A scoping review of the peer-reviewed literature on epilepsy from Africa (1989-2019) was conducted. The aim was to understand from this what areas are well researched versus underresearched based on published epilepsy topics. RESULTS A total of 1227 publications were identified and assessed. A significant increase in publications occurred over the 30 years assessed. African author leadership was evident in most reports. Nine countries had >50 publications identified; the remaining 45 countries had <50 or no publications. Research studies were typically of lower quality (case series and observational studies). Research themes were more focused on clinical epilepsy (descriptive observational studies) and social aspects (qualitative surveys). However, there were a number of unique and strong themes, specifically for neurocysticercosis and nodding syndrome, where strong research collaborations were evident, basic science understandings were explored, and interventional models were established. SIGNIFICANCE Despite Africa being the continent with the most countries, it is lacking in the quantity, quality, and for some areas, relevance of research on epilepsy. Targeted approaches are needed to upskill the strength of research undertaken with more basic science, interventional, and randomized controlled studies. Themes of research need to promote those with unique African content but also to align with current international research areas that have impact on care delivery, such as epilepsy surgery and epilepsy genetics. For this to be possible, it is important to strengthen research hubs with collaborations that empower Africa to own its epilepsy research journey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Samia
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya.,Brain and Mind institute, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya.,Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jane Hassell
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK.,Gertrude's Garden Children's Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jessica Hudson
- Department of Paediatrics, Oxford University Hospitals, Oxford, UK
| | - Azim Ahmed
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jasmit Shah
- Brain and Mind institute, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya.,Department of Internal Medicine, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Charles Hammond
- Department of Child Health, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Edward Kija
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Stéphane Auvin
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Public Hospital Network of Paris, Robert Debré Hospital, Neuro Diderot, National Institute of Health and Medical Research, University of Paris, Paris, France.,University Institute of France, Paris, France
| | - Jo Wilmshurst
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.,Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Maina MB, Ahmad U, Ibrahim HA, Hamidu SK, Nasr FE, Salihu AT, Abushouk AI, Abdurrazak M, Awadelkareem MA, Amin A, Imam A, Akinrinade ID, Yakubu AH, Azeez IA, Mohammed YG, Adamu AA, Ibrahim HB, Bukar AM, Yaro AU, Goni BW, Prieto-Godino LL, Baden T. Two decades of neuroscience publication trends in Africa. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3429. [PMID: 34103514 PMCID: PMC8187719 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23784-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroscience research in Africa remains sparse. Devising new policies to boost Africa's neuroscience landscape is imperative, but these must be based on accurate data on research outputs which is largely lacking. Such data must reflect the heterogeneity of research environments across the continent's 54 countries. Here, we analyse neuroscience publications affiliated with African institutions between 1996 and 2017. Of 12,326 PubMed indexed publications, 5,219 show clear evidence that the work was performed in Africa and led by African-based researchers - on average ~5 per country and year. From here, we extract information on journals and citations, funding, international coauthorships and techniques used. For reference, we also extract the same metrics from 220 randomly selected publications each from the UK, USA, Australia, Japan and Brazil. Our dataset provides insights into the current state of African neuroscience research in a global context.
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Affiliation(s)
- M B Maina
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.
- Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre, College of Medical Sciences, Yobe State University, Damaturu, Nigeria.
- TReND in Africa (www.TReNDinAfrica.org), Brighton, UK.
| | - U Ahmad
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, Genetics and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Bauchi State University, PMB 65, Gadau, Nigeria
| | - H A Ibrahim
- College of Medicine, Misr University for Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
| | - S K Hamidu
- TReND in Africa (www.TReNDinAfrica.org), Brighton, UK
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Gombe State University, Gombe, Nigeria
| | - F E Nasr
- TReND in Africa (www.TReNDinAfrica.org), Brighton, UK
- Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - A T Salihu
- Non-invasive Brain Stimulation and Neuroplasticity Laboratory, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Primary and Allied Healthcare, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Physiotherapy, Hasiya Bayero Paediatric Hospital, Kano, Nigeria
| | - A I Abushouk
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - M Abdurrazak
- Sheka Primary Health Care Kumbotso, Kano, Nigeria
| | - M A Awadelkareem
- TReND in Africa (www.TReNDinAfrica.org), Brighton, UK
- Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Al-Neelain University, Khartoum, Sudan
- UK Dementia Research Institute and Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Neuroscience Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - A Amin
- TReND in Africa (www.TReNDinAfrica.org), Brighton, UK
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - A Imam
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
- School of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - I D Akinrinade
- TReND in Africa (www.TReNDinAfrica.org), Brighton, UK
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - A H Yakubu
- TReND in Africa (www.TReNDinAfrica.org), Brighton, UK
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria
| | - I A Azeez
- Department of Neuroscience Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria
| | - Y G Mohammed
- TReND in Africa (www.TReNDinAfrica.org), Brighton, UK
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Gombe State University, Gombe, Nigeria
- Department of Biology, Neurobiology group, University of Konstanz, Baden Wurttemberg, Germany
| | - A A Adamu
- Department of Physiotherapy, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria
| | - H B Ibrahim
- Department of Pharmacy, Federal Medical Centre, Katsina, Nigeria
| | - A M Bukar
- Centre for Visual Computing, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK
| | - A U Yaro
- College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria
| | - B W Goni
- Department of Medicine, Yobe State University Teaching Hospital Damaturu PMB 1072, Damaturu, Yobe State, Nigeria
| | - L L Prieto-Godino
- TReND in Africa (www.TReNDinAfrica.org), Brighton, UK.
- Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
| | - T Baden
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.
- TReND in Africa (www.TReNDinAfrica.org), Brighton, UK.
- Institute of Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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Mbiydzenyuy NE, Pieme CA, Brown RE, Nguemeni C. Neuroscience education and research in Cameroon: Current status and future direction. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2021; 10:216-224. [PMID: 34179870 PMCID: PMC8211920 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2021.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurological disorders comprise 20% of hospital admissions in Cameroon. The burden of neurological disorders is increasing, especially in children and the elderly. However, there are very few neurologists, psychiatrists, gerontologists and neuropsychologists trained in the treatment of neurological disorders in Cameroon and there are very few facilities for training in basic and clinical neuroscience. Although non-governmental organizations such as the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO), International Society of Neurochemistry (ISN), and Teaching and Research in Natural Sciences for Development (TReND) in Africa have stepped in to provide short training courses and workshops in neuroscience, these are neither sufficient to train African neuroscientists nor to build the capacity to train neuroscience researchers and clinicians. There has also been little support from universities and the government for such training. While some participants of these schools have managed to form collaborations with foreign researchers and have been invited to study abroad, this does not facilitate the training of neuroscientists in Cameroon. Moreover, the research infrastructure for training in neuroscience remains limited. This is reflected in the low research output from Cameroonian universities in the field. In this review, we describe the burden of neurological disorders in Cameroon and outline the outstanding efforts of local scientists to develop the discipline of neuroscience, which is still an emerging field in Cameroon. We identify key actionable steps towards the improvement of the scientific capacity in neuroscience in Cameroon: (1) develop targeted neuroscience training programs in all major universities in Cameroon; (2) implement a thriving scientific environment supported by international collaborations; (3) focus on the leadership and the mentorship of both local and senior neuroscientists; (4) develop public awareness and information of policy makers to increase governmental funding for neuroscience research. Improving scientific capacity to tackle the neurological diseases burden in Cameroon is urgent. Neuroscience schools and advocated researchers shape the future of neuroscience in Cameroon. Public-private partnerships are required for sustainable country impact of neuroscience schools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngala Elvis Mbiydzenyuy
- Department of Basic Medical Science, School of Medicine, Copperbelt University, Ndola, Zambia
| | | | - Richard E Brown
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Carine Nguemeni
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Würzburg, Germany
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Akhaddar A. African Contribution to the World Neurosurgical Literature During the Past Two Decades (1999-2018) Using PubMed Database. World Neurosurg 2019; 126:314-321. [PMID: 30898744 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2019.03.095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To the best of our knowledge, no previous study has assessed the neurosurgical publications from Africa. A bibliometric analysis was performed in the present study to evaluate the contribution of African authors in neurosurgical journals worldwide and to discuss the approaches that could be used to enhance the quantity and quality of publications on this issue. METHODS A literature search of neurosurgical publications by African investigators was performed using the PubMed database from 1999 to 2018. The total number of articles per country was tabulated and normalized by the number of neurosurgeons in each country. RESULTS A total of 974 articles reported from 1999 to 2018 from 31 African countries were identified and analyzed. The number of African neurosurgical publications have increased remarkably during the past decade. However, a wide disparity exists in the productivity among the countries, especially when normalized by the number of neurosurgeons. Most of the research publications have been case series and case reports, with very few clinical trials, meta-analyses, or international collaborations. According to the neurosurgical research areas, the most representative subspecialties were the spine, intracranial tumor, hydrocephalus, and head injury. CONCLUSIONS African neurosurgeons will be able to meet the challenges of the new century with the appropriate use of its resources and staff, regardless of the difficulties they face. However, African neurosurgical research could be improved by teaching research methods and medical writing and should focus more on modern neurosurgical topics by highlighting continental particularities. African neurosurgeons should collaborate with each other (locally, regionally, and abroad) and with foreign centers for better quality research and international visibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Akhaddar
- Department of Neurosurgery, Avicenne Military Hospital of Marrakech, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco; Laboratory of Biostatistics Clinical Research and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco.
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Robert C, Wilson CS, Lipton RB, Arreto CD. Parkinson's disease: Evolution of the scientific literature from 1983 to 2017 by countries and journals. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2018; 61:10-18. [PMID: 30455157 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2018.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
This study charts the evolution of the scientific literature on Parkinson's disease (PD) from 1983 to 2017 to inform communities of scientists, physicians, patients, caregivers and politicians concerned with PD. Articles published in journals indexed in the Science Citation Index-Expanded database of the Web of Science were retrieved and analyzed in seven five-year periods: 1983-1987, 1988-1992, 1993-1997, 1998-2002, 2003-2007, 2008-2012 and 2013-2017. Over 35 years the number of research papers on PD increased 33-fold: 885 papers in 1983-1987 to 29,972 in 2013-2017. At the same time the number of countries contributing to PD research increased from 37 to 131. The USA was the most prolific country throughout, followed by several European (UK, Germany, Italy and France) and English-speaking (Canada and Australia) countries. By 2003, several Asian countries (China, South Korea, India and Turkey) emerged with rapid increases in publications related to PD. By 2013-2017, China surpassed all but the USA to rank 2nd globally in productivity. Despite an increase from 4 to 22 African countries publishing PD research from 1983 to 2017, most were either unproductive or contributed ≤5 papers in each five-year period. There has also been a 12-fold increase in the number of journals (232-2824) containing papers on PD. In 2013-2017 three PD-focused journals (Parkinsonism & Related Disorders, Movement Disorders and Journal of Parkinson's Disease) contained 6.8% of all PD papers while a large majority (82.5%) of journals published ≤ 10 papers. This quantitative study complements the numerous extant qualitative reviews to provide a global perspective on PD research.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Robert
- Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France; Gliaxone, Saint Germain Sous Doue, France.
| | - C S Wilson
- Formerly at: School of Information Systems, Technology and Management, University of New South Wales, UNSW Sydney, 2052, Australia
| | - R B Lipton
- Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - C-D Arreto
- Gliaxone, Saint Germain Sous Doue, France; Université Paris Descartes, Faculté de Chirurgie Dentaire, Hôpital Bretonneau, HUPNVS, AP-HP, Paris, France
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