More than two hundred dementia scientists, clinicians and health professionals from around the world will gather in Mexico City May 17-19 at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference® (AAIC®) Satellite Symposium, co-hosted by the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI), to report and discuss the latest Alzheimer’s and other dementia research in Latin America.
“The Alzheimer’s Association and GBHI are excited to be in Mexico City, and honored to be working with Latin American brain researchers to raise global awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias,” said Maria C. Carrillo, Alzheimer’s Association chief science officer. “Our goal is to highlight the important dementia research that is underway in Latin America and to support collaborations among researchers globally to accelerate discoveries for earlier and more accurate diagnosis, prevention and treatment of this fatal disease.”
Dementia is a growing global health crisis, and Latin America is projected to have one of the highest increases in dementia cases by 2050, according to a report by the Latin American and Caribbean Consortium on Dementia, an initiative supported by the Alzheimer's Association and GBHI.
"We must prioritize the needs of vulnerable populations affected by dementia in Latin America to ensure equitable access to care," said Stefanie Piña Escudero, a geriatrician and Global Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health at GBHI from Mexico who will present at the conference.
In addition to discussing the unique challenges dementia poses for individuals, families, health care systems and governments in Latin American countries, the AAIC Satellite Symposium will host conversations on myriad topics, including:
- Dementia prevalence in Latin America.
- Genetic and ancestral contributions to Alzheimer’s risk.
- Culturally specific lifestyle interventions for dementia risk reduction.
- Biomarkers and early diagnosis.
- Drug and non-drug interventions.
- How culture and language impact testing, treatment and health-related behaviors.
At the symposium, the Alzheimer’s Association and GBHI will also announce a new research funding opportunity to help build capacity for scientific investigation through leaders within institutions located in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). This joint funding initiative, called the Capacity Building in International Dementia Research (CBIDR) Program, will support projects to build upon and expand momentum, ultimately helping researchers take their studies across the finish line.
"By collaborating to consider health disparities, marginalization and inequities across Latin America, we gain valuable insights into how these factors intersect and affect experiences of dementia, leading to more equitable and effective care and support," said Victor Valcour, GHBI site director.
This is the eighth AAIC Satellite Symposium and second time Mexico City has hosted the meeting. Previous symposia were held in Varna, Bulgaria; Athens, Greece; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Bengaluru, India; and, São Paulo, Brazil.
About the Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia®. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.
About the Global Brain Health Institute
The Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) is a leader in the global community dedicated to protecting the world’s aging populations from threats to brain health. GBHI works to reduce the scale and impact of dementia in three ways, by training and connecting the next generation of leaders in brain health through the Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health program; by collaborating in expanding preventions and interventions, by sharing knowledge and engaging in advocacy. Visit www.gbhi.org.
