Alzheimer’s Association, Ibadan Hub Hosts Two-Day International Conference for Next Gen Researchers
The Ibadan Hub of the Alzheimer’s Association hosted the two-day Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) Neuroscience Next on 24th and 25th February 2025, at the Paul Hendrickse Lecture Theatre, University College Hospital along with eleven other hubs around the globe.
The event, aimed at promoting and showcasing the next generation of Alzheimer’s and dementia clinicians and researchers, featured plenary sessions and paper presentations, as well as interactive sessions for students.
Day 1 was chaired by Professor Baiyewu and graced by the Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Prof. Temidayo Ogundiran—who was ably represented by Professor Godwin Ogbole, the Head of the Department of Radiology, and the Dean of Clinical Sciences represented by Dr. Olufisayo Elugbadebo, among other dignitaries. Opening remarks were given by the event’s Chairman and the Provost’s representative. Welcome addresses were also duly given by the Senior Career Researchers and Early Career Researchers leads.
Following this, was a virtual plenary session by Prof. Rufus Akinyemi on “Advances in Genetics and Dementia in Africa: Findings from the READD-ADSP study”. He highlighted the variety in the genetic makeup of Africans which is peculiar especially when compared to that of Asians or Europeans. He also emphasized the need for more studies on the African genome in the field of neuroscience. The next session, taken by Dr. Tejiri Napoleon, a UIMSA alumnus, was on “Novel Therapies in the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease”.
After a short break, Oluwatimilehin Oladapo, the College Research and Innovation Hub (CRIH) President, duly presented a paper on “Dementia in Africa: Current Evidence, Knowledge Gaps, and Future Directions”. This was followed by a panel session which served as a Research Reunion between three authors of the same paper: Dr. Temitayo Ayantayo, Prof. Akin Ojagbemi and Dr. Maelenn Guerchet, hosted by Nneka Amakom and Ayomide Oyekan. Here, attendees were enlightened on the importance of education as it can reduce dementia cases by 5%.
Afterwards, the second plenary session on “Protective Lifestyle Factors against Dementia in Africa” was taken by Dr Lawrence Adebusoye. He explored the modifiable risk factors and actionable steps in preventing dementia highlighting that those steps could potentially reduce dementia cases by 47%. There was a workshop by Prof. Akin Ojagbemi on “How to write a grant proposal” and a third plenary session on “Youth Advocacy in Neuroscience: Empowering the Next Generation of Researchers” by Dr. Temitayo Ayantayo.
The main plenary session, which was broadcast globally, was presented by Dr Maelenn Guerchet on “The future of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia Research: Promoting Healthy Aging Strategies for Neurodegenerative Disease Prevention in Africa”. In her address, she emphasised the need for national care for ageing and the implementation of dementia-friendly policies. Day 1 wrapped with Lightning Presentation rounds by Adejoke Memudu, Hauwa Umar, Ezekiel Dare and Rademene Oria, all centred around different subsets of neuroscience.
Day 2 began with Dr. Rademene Oria and Dr. Nwamaka Ikeji introducing ISTAART Membership and PIA Groups to attendees. This was followed by a performance by the House of Jay Dance troupe. There was also a Career Panel Session with Drs Lara Ojo, Maelenn Guerchet, Olakeye Adeniji, Temitayo Ayantayo and Prof. Mayowa Owolabi.
The first plenary session for the day was on “Stroke Neurobiobanking and Genomic Research in Africa” where Prof. Mayowa Owolabi highlighted the burden of stroke in Africa and his team’s contribution to such an unexplored field. After this, Dr. Temitayo Ayantayo educated attendees on how to publish manuscripts.
The event concluded with a plenary session by Dr. Lara Ojo, on “Movement Disorders in Africa through the lens of Transforming Parkinson’s Care in Africa”. In her words, “I don’t think there is any time when the Nigerian researcher and clinician has been more relevant to advanced countries than now”.
Speaking with the Press about the event, Oluwatimilehin, the CRIH President, said, “Organising this conference was both fulfilling & enlightening. The goal was to deliver a conference that was highly impactful and engaging, and achieving this took a lot of careful & deliberate planning, over the span of about 6 months. It was a great opportunity to implement all the lessons learnt from organising previous scientific conferences such as the CRIH scientific conference while incorporating new aspects to the programming”
He added, “The goal for the AAIC Neuroscience Next conference, Ibadan hub is three-fold: firstly, to support and showcase the works of the next generation of Alzheimer’s and dementia researchers and clinicians. Secondly, to stimulate the interest of young, early career researchers passionate about neuroscience and Alzheimer’s diseases in particular. Lastly, to promote engaging conversations & networking amongst experienced senior career researchers and budding, early career researchers, and I believe this conference achieved these three goals successfully”
Gloria Nelson
