Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) is leading 24 clinicians from the region and beyond to set up Southeast Asia’s first consortium dedicated to tackling dementia.
The Southeast Asian Consortium on Neurocognition, Neuroimaging and Biomarker Research Plus (SEACURE+) will pool resources and data representative of the region’s 700 million people to better understand the unique traits of the Southeast Asian brain and develop a harmonised approach to prevent and manage dementia.
The consortium began as a working group in 2023 comprising Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia. At its official launch today, SEACURE+ expanded its regional footprint with the addition of Brunei and Myanmar as new member countries. SEACURE+ also inducted China and India as honorary members. Their participation will enable comparative studies between Chinese and Indian populations living in Southeast Asia and those in their home countries. This will deepen understanding of how factors such as environment, culture, and epigenetics can shape the biological processes underlying dementia.
SEACURE+ is chaired by Associate Professor Nagaendran Kandiah, the Director of the Dementia Research Centre (DRCS) at LKCMedicine. The consortium brings together thought leaders and experts in dementia, including neurologists, psychiatrists, geriatricians, and researchers.
SEACURE+ will leverage the expertise of DRCS, which is now testing new pharmacological and lifestyle interventions to address the narrowing of blood vessels. Data from ongoing clinical trials with novel pharmacological agents will also be made available to member countries. In addition, diagnostic digital cognitive evaluations developed at the Centre will be rolled out in member countries.
