The Alzheimer’s Association, Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) and the Alzheimer’s Society have announced the most recent awardees of the Pilot Awards for Global Brain Health Leaders.
The competitive funding initiative dedicated to nurturing efforts and improving outcomes in the fields of brain health and dementia.
A total of 26 awards have been granted to projects aimed at bridging the gaps in dementia diagnosis, treatment and care among underserved populations worldwide.
The projects span 16 countries, including Australia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Ireland, Israel, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Peru, South Korea, the UK and the US.
Richard Oakley, PhD, associate director of research and innovation at Alzheimer’s Society, said:
“One in three people born today will develop dementia in their lifetime.
“Research will beat dementia; it’s critical we invest now in innovative research to tackle the most critical challenges of the future.
“By supporting initiatives like this, Alzheimer’s Society can continue to provide hope for the future while transforming lives today – helping ensure people can access a dementia diagnosis, treatments and support, so they can remain independent and live fulfilled lives for as long as possible.”
While there is currently no cure for dementia, we do know that up to 40 per cent of cases are due to modifiable risk factors that may be addressable through public health and lifestyle interventions.
Of the 50 million people affected by the condition worldwide, the highest toll is experienced by at-risk and disadvantaged populations.
Heather M. Snyder, Ph.D., Alzheimer’s Association vice president of medical and scientific relations, said:
“The emphasis is on lower- and middle-income communities, where growth of the prevalence of Alzheimer’s and other dementia is forecast to be highest, and on projects that utilise an evidence-based approach to improve care and outcomes around age-related cognitive loss and dementia.”
Several projects in this year’s cohort focus on the power of storytelling to reduce stigma and empower persons living with dementia.
For example, one project aims to create a non-fiction podcast about the 500-year-long cases of Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease in Medellin, Colombia, focusing on a family with a unique genetic mutation linked to the disease and its potential for preventing neurodegeneration.
Meanwhile, a project in Brazil plans to produce a documentary shedding light on the challenges of social isolation, loneliness, and more faced by people living with dementia, while a UK-based effort seeks to create dramatic monologues to be performed on stage and captured on film inspired by various dementia subtypes.
The total funding of approximately $650,000 (£530,000) includes about $25,000 (£20,000,) for each individual award to enable the recipients—who are all Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health—to test an approach and then, if successful, seek further resources to scale up their work.
