Page 155 - SAMRC AnnualReport 2025-26

P E R FOR M A NC E I N FOR M A T I ON

adolescent cohort exposed to cumulative adversity, African Neuroscience, Neuroethics and Society
the study seeks to identify multi-level causal short course, offered in partnership with the Dana
mechanisms with greater precision. Foundation. The blended programme combines
virtual and in-person teaching, group mentoring,
The Unit is further integrating multimodal and community-engaged activities. Co-led by
physiological and behavioural data to study Dr Olivia Matshabane and Prof. Soraya Seedat in
emotional regulation through VR-based paradigms collaboration with African and international experts,
and physiological monitoring. This work supports the course addresses themes including neuroethics
the development of objective, ecologically valid and AI, with a strong emphasis on equity, cultural
measures of stress reactivity, enabling earlier context, and responsible innovation.
identification and intervention for anxiety-related
disorders. Simultaneously, the Unit’s low-field MRI AI in Medical and Health Research
project has completed initial feasibility testing
and will advance towards developing a custom The Unit builds capacity in AI and data-driven
gradient amplifier to support scalable, low-cost methodologies by leveraging large multimodal
neuroimaging solutions suitable for low- and datasets to improve prediction, measurement, and
middle-income country (LMIC) settings. mechanistic understanding of BDs. For example,
machine learning approaches are being used
The Unit’s Africa Neuroethics Research Group has to predict PTSD risk through the integration of
also advanced ethical, inclusive, and Africa-centred genomic, demographic, trauma-related, and clinical
governance of AI in health. In addition, the Unit is data, addressing a significant gap in global research.
working towards integrating lived-experience data
into its research frameworks to strengthen the cultural Additional research includes brain-age modelling,
relevance, equity, and translational impact of its work. an AI-based approach that uses brain imaging data
to estimate biological brain age. This methodology
Building Capacity Through is being applied to HIV-associated neurocognitive
Training, Mentorship, and Support disorders in South African women and to investigate
relationships between brain ageing, cognitive
The Unit’s capacity development initiatives are function, and genetic influences.
designed to strengthen equitable participation in
health research by developing technical expertise, The Unit is also integrating its cognitive test battery
critical thinking, and ethical awareness. These with multimodal physiological and VR-derived data
efforts ensure that research training remains to enable more ecologically valid assessments
responsive to local contexts while promoting more of executive function and behaviour. This creates
inclusive research practices. opportunities for AI-driven pattern recognition across
cognitive, behavioural, and physiological domains.
A central component of this work is the MSc
(Neuroscience) degree programme, which trains the AI is further transforming the conduct of systematic
next generation of African neuroscientists through a reviews and evidence synthesis by improving
cross-disciplinary approach. Many student projects efficiency, scalability, and methodological rigour.
are embedded within the Unit, providing hands- The Unit has applied machine learning and natural
on experience in advanced neuroscience research language processing tools to support literature
while fostering collaborative learning in a locally searches, de-duplication, and rapid screening of
relevant context. titles and abstracts, substantially reducing reviewer
burden while maintaining high sensitivity. The Unit
To strengthen technical competencies, the has already conducted systematic reviews using
psychiatry molecular laboratories hosted a three- AI-supported software and is curating AI tools for
day laboratory capacity development initiative a large evidence synthesis project funded by the
focused on foundational molecular laboratory Wellcome Trust.
techniques for postgraduate trainees from
Honours to postdoctoral level. The programme The Unit’s Africa Neuroethics Research Group also
was conceptualised and led by PhD students within advances AI governance through research and
the Unit, reflecting a strong culture of peer-led stakeholder engagement initiatives, including the
mentorship and sustainable skills transfer. Ethical Dilemmas of Neuroscience Workshop in
Nairobi, which convenes diverse stakeholders to
The Unit has also contributed to broader promote ethical, inclusive, and Africa-relevant AI-
continental capacity development through the driven neurotechnologies.

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