Developing biobanking processes for Alzheimer's disease and related dementia research in Africa: Experience from the Recruitment and Retention for Alzheimer's Disease Diversity in the Alzheimer's Disease Sequencing Project (READD-ADSP)

Kazeem Sanjo Akinwande^{1

2}, Patrice Whitehead³, Samuel Diala¹, Motunrayo Coker¹, Larry Deon Adams³, Mayowa Ogunronbi¹, Olayemi Balogun⁴, Richard Boateng⁵, Williams Kudzi⁶, Ajibola Falayi⁷, Pascalyne Kavesa Nyamai⁸, Celia Filomena Novela⁹, Tsehayneh Kelemu¹⁰, Jimoh Yemi Abdulraheem¹¹, Osimhiarherhuo Adeleye^{2

12}, Roosevelt Amaobichukwu Anyanwu¹³, Jedidiah Ankamah⁶, Bamigbowu Olugbenga Emmanuel¹⁴, Lucius Chidiebere Imoh¹⁵, Wonder Agudey Doku-Agama⁶, Happiness Kumburu¹⁶, Rogers Kamulegeya¹⁷, Komolafe Benjamin Ige¹⁸, Olaolu Olajide Famuyiwa¹, Gabriel Ogunde¹, Faith Chinaza Ejimkonye¹, Joshua Akinyemi¹⁹, Mike Cuccaro³, Pedro Mena³, Godwin Ogbole²⁰, Olufisayo Elugbadebo²¹, Temitope Farombi²², Michelle Nichols²³, Sunday Adeniyi¹¹, Mubashir Uthman²⁴, Christine Musyimi²⁵, Victoria Mutiso^{25

26

27}, Kolawole Wahab¹¹, Godwin Osaigbovo¹⁵, Ernest Nwazor²⁸, Nosakhare Osemwegie¹⁴, Paul Nwani²⁹, Adefolakemi Temitope Ogundele¹², Paul Olowoyo⁷, Emmanuel Uzodinma Iwuozo¹⁸, Damas Andrea Mlaki³⁰, Reginald Obiako⁴, Fred Sarfo⁵, Albert Akpalu⁶, Thierry Adoukonou³¹, Biniyam A Ayele¹⁰, Yared Zenebe¹⁰, Kamada Lwere¹⁷, Albertino Damasceno⁹, Alfred K Njamnshi³², Judith Boshe¹⁶, Stella-Maria Paddick³³, Sudha Seshadri³⁴, Jacob McCauley³, Richard Walker³⁵, Oyedunni Arulogun³⁶, Njideka Okubadejo¹³, Olusegun Baiyewu²¹, Goldie Byrd³⁷, Mayowa Owolabi^{38

39}, David Ndetei^{25

26

27}, Brian W Kunkle³, Anthony J Griswold³, Rajesh N Kalaria⁴⁰, Jeffery Vance³, Adesola Ogunniyi³⁸, Margaret Pericak-Vance³, Rufus Akinyemi^{1

38

39

40}

Affiliations

¹ Neuroscience and Ageing Research Unit, Institute for Advanced Medical Research & Training, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
² Department of Chemical Pathology and Immunology, Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
³ John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics and the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.
⁴ Department of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna, Nigeria.
⁵ Department of Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
⁶ Department of Medicine, University of Ghana Medical School, Ghana//Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.
⁷ Department of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Olusegun Obasanjo Way, Nigeria and Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti, Ekiti, Nigeria.
⁸ Africa Institute of Mental and Brain Health, Nairobi, Kenya.
⁹ Faculty of Medicine, Eduardo Mondlane University, Hospital Central De Maputo, Maputo, Mozambique.
¹⁰ College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
¹¹ Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Ilorin & University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara, Nigeria.
¹² Psychogeriatric Unit, Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
¹³ Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
¹⁴ Medical Research Laboratory Unit, Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Port Harcourt, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria.
¹⁵ Department of Medicine, University of Jos, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau, Nigeria.
¹⁶ Department of Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical College, Moshi, Tanzania.
¹⁷ College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
¹⁸ Haematology Department, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, Benue, Nigeria.
¹⁹ Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Public Health, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
²⁰ Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
²¹ Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
²² Tony Anenih Geriatric Center, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
²³ College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
²⁴ Department of Epidemiology & Community Health, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin & University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara, Nigeria.
²⁵ Africa Mental Health Research and Training Foundation, Nairobi, Kenya.
²⁶ Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
²⁷ World Psychiatric Association Collaborating Centre for Research and Training, Nairobi, Kenya.
²⁸ Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria.
²⁹ Department of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra, Nigeria.
³⁰ Directorate of Medical Services, Mirembe National Mental Health Hospital & University of Dodoma, Dodoma City, Tanzania.
³¹ Department of Neurology, University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin.
³² Department of Neurology, FMBS, The University of Yaoundé I, Yaounde & Brain Research Africa Initiative, Geneva, Switzerland, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
³³ Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, UK/Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, Gateshead, UK.
³⁴ Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA.
³⁵ Department of Medicine, North Tyneside General Hospital, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, Rake Lane, UK.
³⁶ Department of Health Promotion and Education, Faculty of Public Health, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
³⁷ Maya Angelou Centre for Health Equity, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, North Carolina, USA.
³⁸ Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
³⁹ Center for Genomic and Precision Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
⁴⁰ Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, NIHR Biomedical Research Building, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

PMID: 40819212
PMCID: PMC12358004
DOI: 10.1002/alz.70559

Developing biobanking processes for Alzheimer's disease and related dementia research in Africa: Experience from the Recruitment and Retention for Alzheimer's Disease Diversity in the Alzheimer's Disease Sequencing Project (READD-ADSP)

Kazeem Sanjo Akinwande et al. Alzheimers Dement. 2025 Aug.

. 2025 Aug;21(8):e70559.

doi: 10.1002/alz.70559.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Neuroscience and Ageing Research Unit, Institute for Advanced Medical Research & Training, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
² Department of Chemical Pathology and Immunology, Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
³ John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics and the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.
⁴ Department of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna, Nigeria.
⁵ Department of Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
⁶ Department of Medicine, University of Ghana Medical School, Ghana//Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.
⁷ Department of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Olusegun Obasanjo Way, Nigeria and Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti, Ekiti, Nigeria.
⁸ Africa Institute of Mental and Brain Health, Nairobi, Kenya.
⁹ Faculty of Medicine, Eduardo Mondlane University, Hospital Central De Maputo, Maputo, Mozambique.
¹⁰ College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
¹¹ Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Ilorin & University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara, Nigeria.
¹² Psychogeriatric Unit, Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
¹³ Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
¹⁴ Medical Research Laboratory Unit, Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Port Harcourt, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria.
¹⁵ Department of Medicine, University of Jos, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau, Nigeria.
¹⁶ Department of Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical College, Moshi, Tanzania.
¹⁷ College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
¹⁸ Haematology Department, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, Benue, Nigeria.
¹⁹ Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Public Health, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
²⁰ Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
²¹ Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
²² Tony Anenih Geriatric Center, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
²³ College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
²⁴ Department of Epidemiology & Community Health, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin & University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara, Nigeria.
²⁵ Africa Mental Health Research and Training Foundation, Nairobi, Kenya.
²⁶ Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
²⁷ World Psychiatric Association Collaborating Centre for Research and Training, Nairobi, Kenya.
²⁸ Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria.
²⁹ Department of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra, Nigeria.
³⁰ Directorate of Medical Services, Mirembe National Mental Health Hospital & University of Dodoma, Dodoma City, Tanzania.
³¹ Department of Neurology, University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin.
³² Department of Neurology, FMBS, The University of Yaoundé I, Yaounde & Brain Research Africa Initiative, Geneva, Switzerland, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
³³ Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, UK/Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, Gateshead, UK.
³⁴ Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA.
³⁵ Department of Medicine, North Tyneside General Hospital, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, Rake Lane, UK.
³⁶ Department of Health Promotion and Education, Faculty of Public Health, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
³⁷ Maya Angelou Centre for Health Equity, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, North Carolina, USA.
³⁸ Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
³⁹ Center for Genomic and Precision Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
⁴⁰ Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, NIHR Biomedical Research Building, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

PMID: 40819212
PMCID: PMC12358004
DOI: 10.1002/alz.70559

Abstract

The Recruitment and Retention for Alzheimer's Disease Diversity in the Alzheimer's Disease Sequencing Project (READD-ADSP) aims to recruit 5000 African participants (Alzheimer's disease [AD] and cognitively unimpaired controls) to generate genomic and biomarker data to better characterize AD neurobiology in Africa from countries that constitute the African Dementia Consortium (AfDC). Blood samples from study participants are separated into fractions and transported to the African Coordinating Centre (ACC: Ibadan, Nigeria), where DNA extraction and long-term biospecimen storage are carried out. Plasma and DNA aliquots are shipped to the John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami (HIHG-UM, Miami, USA) for genotyping, whole genome sequencing, and biomarker analysis. Innovative solutions were devised to mitigate challenges encountered so far. Our biobanking experience in a low-resource setting demonstrates the feasibility of establishing a successful African biobanking network, as an important infrastructure to support Alzheimer's disease and related dementias research in Africa. HIGHLIGHTS: Biobanking is gaining grounds in Africa in studies related to neurological disorders. The Recruitment and Retention for Alzheimer's Disease Diversity in the Alzheimer's Disease Sequencing Project (READD-ADSP) biobanking network is a new initiative to enhance infrastructure for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) research in Africa through the African Dementia Consortium. The processes of the stepwise creation and development of the READD-ADSP biobanking network have been guided by global best practices and regulatory standards. Challenges were encountered in the process of establishing the READD-ADSP biobank, and home-grown solutions were developed to mitigate the challenges. The READD-ADSP biobanking experience offers lessons to researchers in low-resource settings on how collaborative efforts between the global north and global south enhance cutting-edge team science to tackle ageing-associated brain disorders in low- and middle-income countries.

Keywords: African Dementia Consortium; Alzheimer's Disease; Biobanking; Dementia; READD‐ADSP.

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Conflict of interest statement

We declare no conflict of interest. Author disclosures are available in the Supporting Information.

Figures

**FIGURE 1**
Founding country members of the African Dementia Consortium (AfDC).

**FIGURE 2**
Procedure for blood sample processing for the READD‐ADSP. READD‐ADSP, Recruitment and Retention for Alzheimer's Disease Diversity in the Alzheimer's Disease Sequencing Project.

**FIGURE 3**
The READD‐ADSP sample flow algorithm. READD‐ADSP, Recruitment and Retention for Alzheimer's Disease Diversity in the Alzheimer's Disease Sequencing Project.

See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

1. Kalaria R, Maestre G, Mahinrad S, et al. The 2022 symposium on dementia and brain aging in low‐ and middle‐income countries: highlights on research, diagnosis, care, and impact. Alzheimer's & Dementia. 2024;20(6):4290‐4314. - PMC - PubMed
1. Alzheimer's Association . 2019 Alzheimer's disease facts and figures. Alzheimer's & dementia. 2019;15(3):321‐387.
1. Akinyemi RO, Yaria J, Ojagbemi A, et al. Dementia in Africa: current evidence, knowledge gaps, and future directions. Alzheimer's & Dementia. 2022;18(4):790‐809. - PMC - PubMed
1. World Health Organization . Global action plan on the public health response to dementia 2017‐2025. World Health Organization, 2017.
1. IGAP, Schellenberg GD . O1‐09‐04: international Genomics of Alzheimer's Disease Project (IGAP) genome‐wide association study. Alzheimer's & Dementia. 2012;8(4S_Part_3): P101‐P101.

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Developing biobanking processes for Alzheimer's disease and related dementia research in Africa: Experience from the Recruitment and Retention for Alzheimer's Disease Diversity in the Alzheimer's Disease Sequencing Project (READD-ADSP)

Affiliations

Developing biobanking processes for Alzheimer's disease and related dementia research in Africa: Experience from the Recruitment and Retention for Alzheimer's Disease Diversity in the Alzheimer's Disease Sequencing Project (READD-ADSP)

Authors

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Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

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