Bridging the Gap in Neuroscience: The BRIDGE Initiative
Marrakesh, Morocco—Imagine a neuroscientist in Brazil enhancing their research with data from Cameroon, or a Kenyan researcher validating findings in a North American cohort. Currently, this scenario is hindered by varying data-sharing laws, technological access, and research ethics across countries. However, a new initiative aims to dismantle these barriers.
The Brain Research International Data Governance & Exchange initiative, or BRIDGE, funded by the Wellcome Trust, is in its second year of a three-year project focused on establishing a comprehensive policy framework for the international storage, security, access, and utilization of neuroscience data.
A Workshop for Change
Last month, BRIDGE hosted a workshop in Marrakesh during the annual meeting of the Society of Neuroscientists of Africa. This event brought together African neuroscientists to discuss the initiative’s progress and share insights gathered thus far. The global focus of BRIDGE addresses a significant scientific issue: the lack of diversity in available brain data. Major datasets, such as the Human Connectome Project and the UK Biobank, predominantly feature individuals of European ancestry, with people of African descent comprising less than 5% of cohorts in brain disorder research, according to a 2020 review.
Expanding the Data Landscape
BRIDGE aims to rectify this imbalance by fostering connections between data across Africa, South America, Europe, and North America. The initiative has begun assessing the current data landscape through ambassadors in four key areas: technology, ethics, law, and the perspectives of individuals with lived experiences of brain conditions. Input is gathered through global and regional workshops involving neuroscientists, academics, clinicians, research organizations, and patient advocacy groups.
Amadi Ihunwo, a neuroscientist and co-investigator of BRIDGE, emphasizes the importance of recognizing the diverse approaches to data governance across Africa. He notes, “This should discourage proposing unilateral templates to brain data generation, storage, access, and usage.” His experience across various African regions informs this perspective, highlighting the need for tailored solutions that respect local contexts.
The Importance of African Data
In an interview, Ihunwo articulated why data generated in Africa is crucial for the initiative. “There are 54 countries in Africa, showcasing immense diversity. It’s essential to acknowledge this heterogeneity when considering global interventions for mental health challenges,” he stated. Despite the continent’s rich data potential, much of it remains inaccessible or incompatible with global datasets. BRIDGE aims to change this by generating empirical data and making it available in accessible formats. Notably, in March, BRIDGE members published the first MRI dataset from Nigeria, obtained by collaborating with local diagnostic centers.
Addressing Cultural Sensitivities
One of the challenges BRIDGE faces is navigating regional concerns, such as data colonialism and the communal nature of consent in some African cultures. Ihunwo explains that the concept of consent varies significantly across the continent. In many communities, consent is a collective matter rather than an individual one. BRIDGE recognizes this and aims to incorporate communal consent into its framework, ensuring that researchers from Africa are involved from the outset.
Amplifying Voices of Experience
Ihunwo’s wife, Uchenna Amadi-Ihunwo, serves as BRIDGE’s ambassador for incorporating input from African individuals with brain conditions. Her work emphasizes the importance of including voices of lived experience in mental health research. As the executive director of the Brain Wellness Initiative, she engages directly with families affected by brain conditions, ensuring their perspectives shape the methodologies used in research.
Tackling Funding Challenges
A significant challenge highlighted during the symposium was the lack of funding for data-storage infrastructure. While BRIDGE does not have dedicated funding for hardware, it leverages existing projects to train young African scientists in open-source tools essential for data science. This training is facilitated through the African Brain Data Network’s African Brain Data Science Academy and the Brainlife platform, which provides a secure and reproducible environment for neuroscience analysis.
A Vision for the Future
BRIDGE envisions a sustainable global coalition that establishes a robust international data governance framework, ensuring that neuroscience data is accessible to researchers worldwide. The initiative’s commitment to inclusivity and collaboration aims to transform the landscape of brain research, making it more representative and equitable for all populations.
