Neuropsychiatry genetics in Africa
Abstract
Across Africa, rising mental health needs coincide with rapid advances in genomics, digital health and continental policy reform. Yet research into the genetic, environmental and social determinants of neuropsychiatric illness remains sparse and underfunded. This review argues that African leadership in neuropsychiatric genetics can strengthen discovery, guide prevention and care, and support equitable precision public health, provided that investment in cohorts, informatics, governance and workforce development is sustained and scaled. By linking the advancement of genomics to health systems, biobanking and translational innovation, Africa can define globally-relevant models of inclusive mental health research, care and sustainable development. In this review, the authors, examine how African neuropsychiatric genetics can connect genomic discovery, mental health systems and translational infrastructure. It highlights opportunities for African-led cohorts, governance and implementation to shape inclusive precision mental health.
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Authors: Conrad Osamede Iyegbe, Melek Chaouch, Itunuoluwa Isewon, Lerato Majara, Olatunde Olayinka Ayinde, Michaela A. O’Hare, Mary Sophia Mufford, Comfort O. A. Okoh, Amine Larnaout, Anje-Lore Grobler, Matsepo C. Ramaboli, Nto Johnson Nto, Emmanuel Alagbe, Sylvanus Toikumo, Fatima Elmugadam, Celia van der Merwe, Oye Gureje, Mounia Bensaid, Mohammed Abdulaziz, Saı̈d Boujraf, Alia Benkahla, Zané Lombard, Soraya Seedat, Adeniran Okewole, Kenneth Ayuurebobi Ae-Ngibise, Sian M. J. Hemmings, Aïcha Dahdouh
Institutions: University of Pennsylvania, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Harvard Global Health Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, University of Ibadan, University of Cambridge, University of Bonn, University of Cape Town, South African Medical Research Council, Tunis El Manar University, Broad Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Stellenbosch University, University of Khartoum, National Health Laboratory Service, Ghana Health Service, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute for Mathematics, Covenant University, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, FHU Neurovasc, Kintampo Health Research Centre, Mount Sinai Hospital, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research