Digitally enabled Cognitive Assessments in the Identification and Intervention for Dementia in Elderly Africans (IDEA) Study

The Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) reports that the Sub‐Saharan African population age 65+ will double in less than 25 years. That compares to high income countries whose doubling of this same age group took between 45‐115 years. ADI estimates 7.2% dementia prevalence rate in those 60+ years old. Incidence rates have been estimated to be lower, 4.1/1000 person years for those ages 60‐64, which is lower than that of high income countries, but these data come from only 5 studies involving 6 cohorts; total n=9,494). The paucity of AD related research in Sub‐Saharian Africa is alarming given the aging demographics and requires an immediate and rapid response to drastically increase research efforts. The Tanzanian community‐based Identification and Intervention for Dementia in Elderly Africans (IDEA) Study is testing whether digitally enabled cognitive assessment methods will provide a framework from which to accelerate expanded AD related research in Sub‐Saharan African countries.