The African Initiative for Bioinformatics Online Training in Neurodegenerative Diseases (AI-BOND): Investing in the next generation of African neuroscientists.

Unlabelled: Neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and AD-related dementias (AD/ADRD), pose significant challenges to health care systems globally, particularly in Africa. With the advances in medical technology and research capabilities, especially in next-generation sequencing and imaging, vast amounts of data have been generated from AD/ADRD research. Given that the greatest increase in AD/ADRD prevalence is expected to occur in Africa, it is critical to establish comprehensive bioinformatics training programs to help African scientists leverage existing data and collect additional information to untangle AD/ADRD heterogeneity in African populations.

Gaps in biomedical research in frontotemporal dementia: A call for diversity and disparities focused research.

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is one of the leading causes of young-onset dementia before age 65, typically manifesting as abnormal behavior (in behavioral variant FTD) or language impairment (in primary progressive aphasia). Although FTD affects all populations across the globe, knowledge regarding the pathophysiology and genetics derives primarily from studies conducted in North America and Western Europe. Globally, biomedical research for FTD is hindered by variable access to diagnosis, discussed in this group's earlier article, and by reduced access to expertise, funding, and infrastructure.

AD plasma biomarkers are stable for an extended period at -20°C: implications for resource-constrained environments.

Standard procedures for measuring Alzheimer's disease (AD) plasma biomarkers include storage at -80°C. This is challenging in countries lacking research infrastructure, such -80°C freezer. To investigate stability of AD biomarkers from plasma stored at -20°C, we compared aliquots stored at -80°C and others at -20°C for two, four, six, fifteen, and thirty-five weeks.

Neurology Training and Medical Education in Resource-Limited Settings: Building and Growing the First Neurology Residency Program in East Africa.

The burden of neurological disease disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries, where the lowest number of neurologists are located. Building local training opportunities in resource-limited settings is a foundational step to enhancing the neurological workforce and improving access to neurological care in these regions. In this article, we describe the development and growth of the first neurology residency program in East Africa, which was established in 2006 at Zewditu Memorial Hospital and the Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.

Association between cognitive impairment and antiseizure medication adherence among people with epilepsy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background: Cognitive impairment is one of the most common and most troublesome comorbidities among people with epilepsy (PWE). Adherent use of antiseizure medications (ASM) can control seizure episodes in 70% of the cases. However, the relationship between adherent use of ASMs and cognitive impairment in epilepsy is complex.

Post-stroke limitations in daily activities: experience from a tertiary care hospital in Ethiopia.

Background: The disability of stroke patients remains an important global health problem; yet information on the extent of restriction from basic and instrumental activities of daily living is limited, particularly in lower-and middle-income (LMIC) countries. Therefore, we examined the issue under the caption, since it is the first step in planning several rehabilitation services.

Method: A facility-based cross-sectional study was done to assess the magnitude and predictors of post-stroke limitations in basic activities of daily living (BADL) using the Barthel Index (BI) scale and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) using the Frenchay Activities Index (FAI) scale among patients who visited Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Neurology Clinic from April-October, 2022.

Media for advocacy of mental health in the Ethiopian context. Current practice, gaps, and future directions.

Media plays a crucial role in reshaping societal attitudes and behaviors towards individuals with mental illness. It contributes to improved rights of people living with mental health conditions and access to care services. However, in Ethiopia, mental health advocacy faces obstacles such as deep-rooted misconceptions, fear, and discrimination about mental illness, as well limited engagement of stakeholders and language barriers.

Authenticity and brain health: a values-based perspective and cultural education approach.

This perspective paper discusses the concept of authenticity in relation to brain health and neurodegenerative diseases. We define authenticity as being true to oneself and consider it a social value of relevance to neuroscientists, clinicians, and caregivers. From a biological perspective, behaviors that can be interpreted as expressions of authenticity are produced by distributed brain networks.

Neurological diagnoses in hospitalized COVID-19 patients during the B.1.1.529 surge.

Objective: Emerging variants and sublineages of SARS-CoV-2 have differing disease severity, transmissibility, and immune evasion. The neurological conditions associated with the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 are well established. Our study assessed the neurological presentations specific to hospitalized patients during the B.

The need for a tailored national dementia plan in Ethiopia: A call for action.

Globally, a rapid demographic transition is occurring with a significant increment in the proportion of older individuals. For the first time in history, individuals aged 65 and above outnumber that of children under 5 years of age. In Ethiopia, the life expectancy has shown dramatic improvements in the past few decades and is expected to reach 74 years by mid-century.

Management of rare movement diseases in different world regions.

To evaluate the management of rare movement disorders (RMD) at the international level and identify care needs to be addressed, the Rare Movement Disorders Study Group of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society (MDS) has conducted an exploratory survey. We sent an online survey to experts in Africa, Asia, Oceania and American continents following the classification of the MDS Regional Sections: Africa, Asia and Oceania (A&O), and Pan-America. We did not include Europe as the European Reference Network for Rare Neurological Diseases recently performed a similar care needs survey across European countries.

Electroencephalographic Findings, Antiepileptic Drugs and Risk Factors of 433 Individuals Referred to a Tertiary Care Hospital in Ethiopia.

Background: Little is known about the characteristics of electroencephalogram (EEG) findings in epileptic patients in Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to characterize the EEG patterns, indications, antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), and epilepsy risk factors.

Methods: A retrospective observational review of EEG test records of 433 patients referred to our electrophysiology unit between July 01, 2020 and December 31, 2021.

Factors Associated with ICU Mortality at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (HUCSH).

Background: Providing acute care to critically ill patients in intensive care unit (ICU) is a global necessity, regardless of health system capacity. The objectives of the present study were to assess the reasons for admission and clinical outcomes of adult patients admitted to general ICU at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (HUCSH).

Methods: A retrospective study based on a record review of logbook and charts of 310 adult patients admitted to general ICU of HUCSH between April 2012 and April 2017.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: An unusual presentation of disseminated tuberculosis: A case report and literature review.

Background: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is an aggressive and life-threatening syndrome associated with cytokine storm. Here, we present a patient with acquired HLH associated with infection.

Case Presentation: We report a 66-year-old hypertensive and diabetic male patient who presented with four days history of fever and abdominal pain.

Electrodiagnostic referrals and neuromuscular disease pattern in East Africa: Experience from a tertiary hospital in Ethiopia.

Objective: We present a retrospective cross-sectional review of the electrodiagnostic (EDX) referral and diagnostic patterns in patients with suspected neuromuscular conditions at a tertiary hospital in Ethiopia.

Methods: Between 2016 and 2019, 313 patients were evaluated at the EDX lab in Tikur Anbessa Specialised Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In our patients, nerve conduction study and when appropriate needle electromyography was done.

Factors Associated with EEG Slowing in Individuals with Parkinson's Disease.

Background: A plethora of scientific studies has shown diffuse slowing on electroencephalograph (EEG) study is a frequent occurrence in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, compared to the healthy controls. Little is known about EEG slowing and PD in the sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to assess factors associated with EEG slowing in individuals with Parkinson's disease.

Neuroimaging Features and Associated Factors in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Perspective from a Private Care Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background: Brain and spine magnetic resonance image (MRI) have an invaluable importance in diagnosing multiple sclerosis (MS) in low prevalence countries such as Ethiopia. The objective of our study was to characterize the neuroimaging features and associated factors in Multiple sclerosis patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Method: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in 30 multiple sclerosis patients at Yehuleshet Specialty Clinic, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Reversible anomia and cerebral venous thrombosis: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: Cerebral venous thrombosis is a rare form of venous stroke with diverse clinical manifestations. Word-finding difficulty (anomia) is rarely reported in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis.

Case Presentation: We report a 30-year-old right-handed Ethiopian female patient, who presented with global headache associated with a new onset word-finding difficulty of 2 weeks duration.

Pott's paraplegia and role of neuroimaging in resource limited setting: A case report and brief review of the literatures.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in low and middle income countries (LMIC). Approximately 50% of cases of skeletal TB involve the spine. Failure to identify and treat these areas of involvement at an early stage may lead to serious complications such as vertebral collapse, spinal compression, and spinal deformity.

Non-Motor Symptoms and Associated Factors in Parkinson's Disease Patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Non-motor symptoms (NMSs) of Parkinson's disease (PD) were often overlooked and less studied. Little is known about NMSs in Ethiopia. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of NMSs and associated factors.

Toxic epidermal necrosis associated with phenobarbitone: a case report and brief review of the literatures.

Background: Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)/Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is the spectrum of severe, acute, mucocutaneous, T-cell mediated delayed type IV hypersensitivity reaction and universally related to different drugs. Phenobarbitone is known to cause hypersensitivity reactions with benign pattern; ranging from a mild to moderate rashes but not life-threatening reactions such as TEN/SJS.

Case Report: We report a 14-year-old asthmatic male patient admitted to a local hospital for an acute exacerbation of asthma, after he presented with shortness of breath, cough, and fever.

Serum Vitamin D Level among Multiple Sclerosis Patients in the Tropics: Experience from a Private Clinic in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune mediated disabling neurological disorder. Very little is known about MS in Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and associated factors in cohort of MS patients in Ethiopia.