Two decades of neuroscience publication trends in Africa

Abstract

Neuroscience research in Africa remains sparse. Devising new policies to boost Africa’s neuroscience landscape is imperative, but these must be based on accurate data on research outputs which is largely lacking. Such data must reflect the heterogeneity of research environments across the continent’s 54 countries. Here, we analyse neuroscience publications affiliated with African institutions between 1996 and 2017. Of 12,326 PubMed indexed publications, 5,219 show clear evidence that the work was performed in Africa and led by African-based researchers - on average ~5 per country and year. From here, we extract information on journals and citations, funding, international coauthorships and techniques used. For reference, we also extract the same metrics from 220 randomly selected publications each from the UK, USA, Australia, Japan and Brazil. Our dataset provides insights into the current state of African neuroscience research in a global context.

What is next in African neuroscience?

“…The diversity of animal models in the African ecosystem (e.g., Meriones shawi, jerboa, rabbit, baboon, monkey, buffalo, elephant, guinea pig and chameleon) is a unique strength, as it can offer novel perspectives on brain health and disease, the transmission of nervous system diseases from animals to humans, and screening for novel drugs ( Maina et al, 2021 ; Maina et al, 2019 ). Research into the nervous systems of these fauna has already delivered breakthroughs in neuroscience ( https://fbresearch.org/medical-advances/nobel-prizes/ ).…”

“…Some have adapted existing technologies and the unique systems around them to build their own equipment ( Kumbol et al, 2018 ; van Niekerk et al, 2019 ); others are developing specialised research methodologies to generate robust, culturally-relevant scientific data on diseases affecting their communities ( Monteiro, 2014 ; Sahlu et al, 2019 ). Many have ventured into medicinal flora research and collaborate with the public and traditional healers to understand the scientific validity of traditional medicine and how it can result in the development of effective and affordable therapy for world diseases ( Abegaz, 2016 ; Maina et al, 2021 ; Terburg et al, 2013 ). For example, African research on medicinal flora provides a novel avenue for discovering treatments for currently untreatable diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and depression.…”

Neuroscience education in Africa, prospects and challenges

“…International collaboration is an important part of integrating the global research community. [34] Many African scholars have found it difficult to collaborate with colleagues in other countries due to a lack of funding and other obstacles. [35] This greatly affects the visibility of African neuroscience researches.…”

“…Southern Africa was the only African area where domestic financing outnumbered international funding. [34] South Africa, the largest contributor in Southern Africa, is the only African country to invest nearly 1% of GDP in research and development, as the African Union recommended in 2007. [37] More government financing is needed to support the expansion of Africa's research industry.…”

Rapidly progressive dementia: limitations in Africa

“…Neuroscience is a rapidly changing and exciting field globally. Africa is part of that change with increasing neuroscience publications32, the arrival of neurogenomics,33 the formation of the African Academy of Neurology and recently a brain bank for dementia/neurodegeneration in Ibadan, Nigeria, the first in sub-Saharan Africa 34. Collaboration with neuroscience institutions in high-income countries is part of this process.…”