Frontiers in Neurology (Mar 2021)

The Multi-Partner Consortium to Expand Dementia Research in Latin America (ReDLat): Driving Multicentric Research and Implementation Science

  • Agustin Ibanez,
  • Agustin Ibanez,
  • Agustin Ibanez,
  • Agustin Ibanez,
  • Agustin Ibanez,
  • Jennifer S. Yokoyama,
  • Jennifer S. Yokoyama,
  • Jennifer S. Yokoyama,
  • Jennifer S. Yokoyama,
  • Katherine L. Possin,
  • Katherine L. Possin,
  • Katherine L. Possin,
  • Diana Matallana,
  • Diana Matallana,
  • Diana Matallana,
  • Francisco Lopera,
  • Ricardo Nitrini,
  • Leonel T. Takada,
  • Nilton Custodio,
  • Ana Luisa Sosa Ortiz,
  • José Alberto Avila-Funes,
  • José Alberto Avila-Funes,
  • Maria Isabel Behrens,
  • Maria Isabel Behrens,
  • Maria Isabel Behrens,
  • Maria Isabel Behrens,
  • Andrea Slachevsky,
  • Andrea Slachevsky,
  • Andrea Slachevsky,
  • Andrea Slachevsky,
  • Andrea Slachevsky,
  • Richard M. Myers,
  • J. Nicholas Cochran,
  • Luis Ignacio Brusco,
  • Luis Ignacio Brusco,
  • Martin A. Bruno,
  • Martin A. Bruno,
  • Sonia M. D. Brucki,
  • Sonia M. D. Brucki,
  • Stefanie Danielle Pina-Escudero,
  • Stefanie Danielle Pina-Escudero,
  • Stefanie Danielle Pina-Escudero,
  • Maira Okada de Oliveira,
  • Maira Okada de Oliveira,
  • Maira Okada de Oliveira,
  • Maira Okada de Oliveira,
  • Patricio Donnelly Kehoe,
  • Patricio Donnelly Kehoe,
  • Adolfo M. Garcia,
  • Adolfo M. Garcia,
  • Adolfo M. Garcia,
  • Adolfo M. Garcia,
  • Adolfo M. Garcia,
  • Juan Felipe Cardona,
  • Hernando Santamaria-Garcia,
  • Hernando Santamaria-Garcia,
  • Sebastian Moguilner,
  • Sebastian Moguilner,
  • Claudia Duran-Aniotz,
  • Enzo Tagliazucchi,
  • Marcelo Maito,
  • Erika Mariana Longoria Ibarrola,
  • Maritza Pintado-Caipa,
  • Maritza Pintado-Caipa,
  • Maritza Pintado-Caipa,
  • Maria Eugenia Godoy,
  • Vera Bakman,
  • Vera Bakman,
  • Shireen Javandel,
  • Kenneth S. Kosik,
  • Victor Valcour,
  • Victor Valcour,
  • Victor Valcour,
  • Bruce L. Miller,
  • Bruce L. Miller,
  • Bruce L. Miller

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2021.631722
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12

Abstract

Read online

Dementia is becoming increasingly prevalent in Latin America, contrasting with stable or declining rates in North America and Europe. This scenario places unprecedented clinical, social, and economic burden upon patients, families, and health systems. The challenges prove particularly pressing for conditions with highly specific diagnostic and management demands, such as frontotemporal dementia. Here we introduce a research and networking initiative designed to tackle these ensuing hurdles, the Multi-partner consortium to expand dementia research in Latin America (ReDLat). First, we present ReDLat's regional research framework, aimed at identifying the unique genetic, social, and economic factors driving the presentation of frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's disease in Latin America relative to the US. We describe ongoing ReDLat studies in various fields and ongoing research extensions. Then, we introduce actions coordinated by ReDLat and the Latin America and Caribbean Consortium on Dementia (LAC-CD) to develop culturally appropriate diagnostic tools, regional visibility and capacity building, diplomatic coordination in local priority areas, and a knowledge-to-action framework toward a regional action plan. Together, these research and networking initiatives will help to establish strong cross-national bonds, support the implementation of regional dementia plans, enhance health systems' infrastructure, and increase translational research collaborations across the continent.

Keywords