<< Back

2020 Alzheimer's Association Research Grant to Promote Diversity (AARG-D)

Validation of a Cognitive Assessment Battery in the Botswana Population

Can cognitive and functional assessments be adapted to improve the diagnosis of dementia in Botswana?

Lingani Mbakile-Mahlanza, D.Psyc.
University of Botswana
Gaborone, Botswana



Background

According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, an estimated 2.13 million people were living with dementia in Sub-Saharan Africa as of 2015 with the numbers projected to nearly double by 2030.  Studies have identified possible risk factors to dementia; however, the role these may play in Sub-Saharan Africa is unknown. In Botswana, a diagnosis of dementia is made only with a clinical exam and an interview. 

Computerized and paper-based tests to diagnose dementia have not yet been culturally adapted or validated for individuals in Botswana.  By developing a collaboration between the University of Botswana and University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Dr. Lingani Mbakile-Mahlanza will adapt these tests, to administer to individuals in Botswana with the aim to validate these assessment tools.
 

Research Plan

Dr. Mbakile-Mahlanza and colleagues will translate and culturally adapt the UCSF Brain Health Assessment, the paper based National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center’s Unified Data Set, the Botswana Auditory Verbal Learning Task and the Pfeffer Functional Activities Questionnaire for the evaluation of brain health among older adults in Botswana.

Once adapted, the researchers will administer the assessments to 5 individuals with cognitive impairment and 5 individuals without cognitive impairment.  The researchers will evaluate the assessments and determine if the participants can complete the tasks.  Researchers will then administer the assessment to 200 individuals with mild and major cognitive impairment and 200 individuals without cognitive impairment in Botswana.  The researchers will also document participants’ age, gender, and education levels.  Finally, the researchers will evaluate the accuracy of the assessments to detect mild and major cognitive impairment in Botswana.
 

Impact

The information generated from her work may provide a crucial step in the identification of individuals with dementia in Botswana.  The study results can be used to create an intervention and support plan in developing nations to reduce health disparities.

This project was made possible by the Dale Schenk Alzheimer's Association Research Roundtable Award.

Back to Top