● Principal Investigator
Meet the Unit Lead
Dr. David Larbi Simpong
Principal Investigator Neuroscientist UCC Profile →
About the Principal Investigator
Dr. David Larbi Simpong is a Neuroscientist with research interests in neurodegeneration, aging, dementia and translational neuroscience. He leads the Brain Research Unit with a vision to advance brain health research in Africa through innovation, collaboration and capacity building.
His work focuses on understanding the genetic, environmental and molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases — with a particular emphasis on their expression in African populations and how culturally sensitive innovations can improve brain health outcomes across the continent.
● Research Team Members
Dr. Ansumana Bockarie
Consultant Physician
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Dr. David Brodie-Mends
Neurologist
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Dr. Desmond Koffie
Neurologist
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Dr. Dzifa Dellor
Psychiatrist
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Dr. Julius Xatse
Psychiatrist
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Dr. Abdala Mumuni Ussif
Neuroscientist
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Dr. Akua Afriyie Karikari
Neuroscientist
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Dr. Benjamin Aboagye
Neuroscientist
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Dr. Stephen Kwaku Amoah
Neuroscientist
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● Postgraduate Training & Assistants
● Research Output · 2022–2026
Publications
12 peer-reviewed publications advancing our understanding of neurodegeneration, dementia and brain health in African populations.
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2026
Association between lipid levels and dementia risk among older Ghanaian adults
Appiah F, Simpong DL, Marfo E, Osei GN, Antwi MH, Manu KS, Dogah J, Bockarie A. (2026)
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2026
Parasitic Infections and Associated Cognitive Outcome Among School-Aged Children in Africa: A Systematic Review
Adu, A. M., D. L. Simpong, D. M. Donkor, et al. (2026)
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2026
Population disparities in Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review of fluid and neuroimaging biomarkers
Kpelle, L., Bockarie, A., Antwi, M. H., Osei, G. N., Donkor, D. M., Brodie-Mends, D., Adu, A. M., & Simpong, D. L. (2026)
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2025
Pattern of Central Nervous System Related Diseases and Deaths: A 10-year Study in a Ghanaian Tertiary Care Facility
Bockarie, A., Mills, R.O., Ulzen-Appiah, K., Akpalu, A. ... & Simpong, D.L. (2025)
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2025
Diagnostic potential of near-infrared spectroscopy in mild cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative disorders: Implications for resource-limited settings
Osei, G. N., Bockarie, A., Akpalu, A., Adueming, P. O.-W., Antwi, M. H., Appiah, F., ... & Simpong, D. L. (2025)
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2025
Genetic and environmental risk factors for dementia in African adults: A systematic review
Donkor, D. M., Marfo, E., Bockarie, A., Tettevi, E. J., Antwi, M. H., Dogah, J., Osei, G. N., & Simpong, D. L. (2025)
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2025
Cytokines and immune biomarkers in neurodegeneration and cognitive function: A systematic review among individuals of African ancestry
Antwi, M. H., Bockarie, A., Osei, G. N., Donkor, D. M., & Simpong, D. L. (2025)
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2025
Antibiotic-Induced Gut Dysbiosis Modulates Alzheimer's Disease-Associated Gene Expression and Protein Aggregation in 3xTg-AD Mice via the Gut-Brain Axis
Tettevi, E. J., Simpong, D. L., Maina, M., Adjei, S. ... & Ocloo, A. (2025)
📘
2025
Evaluation of sleep quality and its determinants among individuals with diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension: A cross-sectional study
Dogah, J., Bockarie, A., Kunkah, E. K., Boampong, A. A., Osei, G. N. ... & Simpong, D. L. (2025)
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2024
Exploration of demographic prevalence of mild cognitive impairment using Montreal Cognitive Assessment: A cross-sectional pilot study in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana
Simpong, D. L., Osei, G. N., Mills, R. O., Anyebem, C. A. ... & Bockarie, A. (2024)
📘
2024
In Silico Identification of a Potential TNF-Alpha Binder Using Structural Similarity: A Potential Drug Repurposing Approach to the Management of Alzheimer's Disease
Tettevi, E. J., Kuevi, D. N. O., Sumabe, B. K., Simpong, D. L. ... & Ocloo, A. (2024)
📘
2022
A Review of African Medicinal Plants and Functional Foods for the Management of Alzheimer's Disease-related Phenotypes, Treatment of HSV-1 Infection and/or Improvement of Gut Microbiota
Tettevi, E. J., Maina, M., Simpong, D. L., Osei-Atweneboana, M. Y., & Ocloo, A. (2022)
● Collaborate With Us
Why Partner With the Brain Research Unit?
Join us in advancing brain health research in Africa and beyond. We offer unique capabilities and access that no other research centre in West Africa can match.
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Longitudinal Ghanaian Cohort Access
Unique access to a well-characterised longitudinal cohort of Ghanaian adults — enabling long-term studies on aging, dementia and brain health in an African population context.
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Global Research Collaborations
Established partnerships with international institutions and collaborators across neuroscience, public health and clinical medicine — connecting African research to global networks.
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Clinical + Molecular + Digital Integration
Our multidisciplinary approach integrates clinical research, molecular biology and digital health tools — enabling comprehensive, translational studies from bench to community.
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Culturally Sensitive Innovations
We develop and validate brain health tools that are culturally adapted for African populations — ensuring research findings translate into real-world interventions that work in context.
Ready to collaborate on brain health research?
Reach out to the Brain Research Unit — part of the Biomedical & Clinical Research Centre (BCRC), University of Cape Coast, Ghana.
Brain Research Unit · BCRC
A research unit of the Biomedical & Clinical Research Centre (BCRC)
University of Cape Coast, Ghana
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