Environmental Toxins as Causes of Brain Degeneration in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Brain degeneration, especially Dementia is a complex human disease. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that one in 10 persons over 65 and nearly half of those over 85 have Alzheimer’s disease. There is paucity of data on the prevalence of dementia in Sub-Saharan Africa. Available data suggests a general prevalence of dementia at 6.4 % in Tanzania and HIV related dementia at 31 % in Uganda. Despite the growing burden of dementia in low-income countries, there are few previous data on the prevalence, causes and risk factors of dementia in sub-Saharan Africa.