Motor Neuron Diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Need for More Population-Based Studies

BioMed Research International
Emmanuel Quansah, Thomas K Karikari

Abstract

Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are devastating neurological diseases that are characterised by gradual degeneration and death of motor neurons. Major types of MNDs include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). These diseases are incurable, with limited disease-modifying treatment options. In order to improve MND-based biomedical research, drug development, and clinical care, population-based studies will be important. These studies, especially among less-studied populations, might identify novel factors controlling disease susceptibility and resistance. To evaluate progress in MND research in Africa, we examined the published literature on MNDs in Sub-Saharan Africa to identify disease prevalence, genetic factors, and other risk factors. Our findings indicate that the amount of research evidence on MNDs in Sub-Saharan Africa is scanty; molecular and genetics-based studies are particularly lacking. While only a few genetic studies were identified, these studies strongly suggest that there appear to be population-specific causes of MNDs among Africans. MND genetic underpinnings vary among different African populations and also between African and non-African populations. Further studies, especially ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Sep 8, 2015·Metabolic Brain Disease·Emmanuel Quansah, Thomas K Karikari
Mar 5, 2016·Applied & Translational Genomics·Thomas K Karikari, Jelena Aleksic
Jan 12, 2016·Applied & Translational Genomics·Thomas K Karikari, Emmanuel Quansah
Jan 15, 2016·Applied & Translational Genomics·Thomas K KarikariWael M Y Mohamed
Jan 9, 2016·PloS One·Emmanuel QuansahThomas K Karikari
Oct 11, 2017·Metabolic Brain Disease·Wasiu Gbolahan BalogunAbdulbasit Amin
Mar 20, 2018·Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry·Marieke Cornelia Johanna DekkerWilliam P Howlett
Sep 23, 2018·Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry·Jaime LunaUNKNOWN TROPALS Collaboration
Feb 6, 2017·Neurology·Alice VajdaOrla Hardiman
Jan 24, 2019·Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : ECAM·Patrick AmoatengAlexander K Nyarko
Jun 29, 2021·IBRO Neuroscience Reports·Ngala Elvis MbiydzenyuyCarine Nguemeni

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
SMA
PMA
exome sequencing

Software Mentioned

EBSCO

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