Scan With me (SWIM): Enhancing Dementia Imaging Through Training Of MRI Personnel in Low-and Middle-Income Countries.

Motivation: Dementia is a growing burden in aging populations within LMICs, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, where limited MRI access and neuroimaging training hinder effective diagnosis and treatment. Goal(s): Train MRI radiographers in LMICs to develop optimized neuroimaging protocols, creating a network of skilled professionals who elevate brain imaging in clinical and research settings. Approach: The program implements RAD-AID's("Teach-Try-Use")method, guiding participants from basic to advanced brain imaging knowledge over seven weeks through foundational training, seminars, expert demonstrations, and capstone projects. Results: A total of 96 participants from 18 countries gained hands-on brain imaging experience and developed their own optimized dementia protocols to produce high-quality images. Impact: A sustainable training approach was implemented to provide expertise to MRI radiographers, enabling them to train their peers in resource-limited settings. Training outcomes were assessed through evaluations, and the high-quality images produced by participants.