Namaste from India: “Reaching the Unreached” in Dementia and Brain Health

In this perspective, Atlantic Fellow Anusha Yasoda-Mohan reflects on a recent gathering in India, where Atlantic Fellows from South Asia, along with dementia and brain health professionals and stakeholders, united to explore the theme “Reaching the Unreached”—a call to action for inclusive dementia care and brain health equity.

^{At the Dementia India Alliance DEMCON 2024 Conference: Iracema Leroi, Jayashree.Dasgupta, Anusha Yasoda-Mohan, Faheem Arshad, Umesh Bogati and Mathew Varghese.}

With the world growing in population and age, it is imperative that we join hands across the globe, not only in addressing disorders of brain health, but also in optimizing brain health across the lifespan. South Asia (India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka) hosts about 1/7 of the world’s most diverse population. The Lancet predicts that about 70% of neurodegeneration is expected to occur in lower and middle income countries. However, they also describe how community engagement and managing social isolation is a neuroprotective and preventative way of addressing neurodegeneration. In this sense, South Asia’s ancient, diverse and culturally rich indigenous practices may be a fertile ground for developing innovative and scalable solutions. Combined with advanced technology and healthcare—both naturopathy and Western medicine—this creates a unique blend of ancient wisdom and modern science.

Together with recently appointed GBHI Site Director at Trinity, Iracema Leroi, Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health from South Asia gathered at the inaugural Dementia India Alliance (DIA) Conference in Bengaluru, India. Hosted by the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, the November 2024 event welcomed nearly 1,000 professionals and stakeholders dedicated to dementia and brain health. Spearheaded by Prof. Mathew Varghese and his team, the conference carried the hopeful theme: “Reaching the Unreached.” GBHI’s contribution and impact was evident throughout the conference, with fellows showcasing both their individual work and GBHI’s collective efforts in a range of sessions and ancillary events.

^{Atlantic Fellows showcase their individual work and GBHI’s collective efforts.}

Advancing Research and Innovation 

A highlight for me was the extension of the Creative Brain Week India initiative, which Jayashree Dasgupta and I lead. Our interactive workshop, attended by nearly 100 participants, focused on co-creating innovative solutions for brain health challenges through the arts and creativity while also laying the groundwork for a Creative Brain Health Network – South Asia. 

The conference also enabled Jayashree to have a valuable in-person review of her pilot project with her GBHI mentors, Iracema Leroi and Prof. Claudia Cooper (Queen Mary University London). The focus of the project is the emerging concept of the diaspora care partner and the challenges posed by the increasing mobility of families within and beyond India.

Exemplifying Multidisciplinary Leadership

Atlantic Fellows and GBHI were an integral part of the conference program, particularly on the second day, when our work was featured across every session. From Iracema and my presentation on the role of vision and hearing in dementia, to Jayashree’s workshop addressing training and support in dementia home care, and Faheem Arshad’s talk on advances in pharmacological interventions, our contributions demonstrated the breadth of GBHI’s multidisciplinary leadership.

The conference culminated in a dedicated GBHI symposium chaired by Dr. Pratima Murthy (Director, NIMHANS) and Dr. K.V.S. Hari (Director, Centre for Brain Research). Attended by over 500 delegates, this session highlighted themes such as the GBHI learning experience, pilot project proposal training, mentorship and public and patient involvement (PPI). Reflections from fellows from South Asia, including recorded messages from those unable to attend, provided a heartfelt insight into GBHI’s mission to protect global populations from threats to brain health.

Strengthening Connections

The event provided the opportunity for fellows from across South Asia to connect both with each other and key partners, exploring potential future collaborations. Umesh Bogati leveraged his visit from Nepal to engage with contacts at NIMHANS, while Bengaluru-based Faheem connected with Dr. Murali Krishna, Consultant in Geriatric Psychiatry and Clinical Director at Viveka Hospital, Mysore, and Dr. Rajinder Dhamija, Professor of Neurology and Director at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), Delhi, who leads India’s new Brain Health Task Force. 

Iracema delivered a compelling presentation titled 'Brain Health: From Pathology to Potential' at the Centre for Brain Research (CBR). Hosted by Dr. Thomas Isaac and CBR Director, Dr. K.V.S Hari, the talk captivated an audience of over 400, emphasizing key developments in brain health research and intervention strategies. I also had the opportunity to explore the CBR's cutting-edge audiology lab, led by Dr. Deepashri Agrawal, with the potential for exciting new Indo-European collaborations.

Informal gatherings and events also provided the opportunity to further deepen connections and reinforce collaborative ties and brainstorm new avenues for collaboration with other brain health leaders in the region such as Prof. Suvarna Alladi, Professor of Neurology National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, and Dr. Sridhar Vaitheswaran, Assistant Director and Consultant Psychiatrist, Dementia Care in SCARF Hospital, Chennai.

Looking Ahead: GBHI South Asia Interest Group

Atlantic Fellows are set to launch a GBHI South East Asia interest group, with exciting projects on the horizon. The group’s vision is to propel brain health initiatives in South Asia through research, advocacy and clinical avenues. Planned outcomes include developing a comprehensive position paper on brain health in South Asia and launching the South Asia Creative Brain Network, marking a significant step toward regional advancements in this critical field. 

If you would like more information please contact Jayashree.Dasgupta@gbhi.org  or Swati.Bajpai@gbhi.org.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to build hope and forge new paths in brain health!
 

Funding Acknowledgement

My travel to India was supported by a Trinity Trust Travel grant awarded by the TCD Association and Trust which is supported by the TCD Affinity Credit Card.