The landscape of dementia research, diagnosis, treatment, and care in Latin America
Journal
Alzheimer's & Dementia
ISSN
1552-5260
Date Issued
2026-03
Author(s)
Claudia K. Suemoto
Nilton Custodio
Diego Aguilar
José A. Avila‐Funes
Sandra Baez
Pablo M. Bagnati
Lisa L. Barnes
Sonia M. D. Brucki
Ismael L. Calandri
Paulo Caramelli
Mario Cornejo‐Olivas
Carolina Delgado Derio
Sergio T. Ferreira
Adolfo M. García
Lea T. Grinberg
Agustin M. Ibanez
Rosario Isasi
Sylvia E. Josephy‐Hernández
Maria Lazo Porras
Jorge J. Llibre‐Guerra
Juan J. Llibre‐Rodriguez
Mychael V. Lourenco
B. Marcela Mar Meza
Joaquin Migeot
J. Jaime Miranda
Claudia Miranda‐Castillo
Catherine J. Mummery
José F. Parodi
Natalia Pozo Castro
Rosa María Salinas Contreras
Hernando Santamaría‐García
Juliana N. Souza‐Talarico
Ezequiel I. Surace
Leonel T. Takada
Elena Tsoy
Martha Unaucho Pilalumbo
Eduardo R. Zimmer
Igor C Fontana
Simin Mahinrad
Heather M. Snyder
Maria C. Carrillo
Type
journal-article
Abstract
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title>
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<jats:p>Latin America is undergoing rapid population aging alongside a rising burden of dementia. While the region holds substantial potential for dementia risk reduction, challenges remain, such as delayed diagnoses, limited access to specialized care and biomarker testing, persistent stigma, and deep‐rooted structural inequities. To address these gaps and foster regionally informed solutions, the Alzheimer's Association convened the 2025 Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) Satellite Symposium in Lima, Peru, on May 14–15, in collaboration with the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) and the Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health. The meeting aimed to bring core elements of the global AAIC meeting to regional Latin American settings, recognizing that national and cultural contexts demand tailored approaches to dementia prevention, risk reduction, treatment and care all aimed at promoting brain health in the region. This manuscript synthesizes the symposium's key discussions, scientific advances, and opportunities for collaboration across the region.</jats:p>
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<jats:label/>
<jats:p>Latin America is undergoing rapid population aging alongside a rising burden of dementia. While the region holds substantial potential for dementia risk reduction, challenges remain, such as delayed diagnoses, limited access to specialized care and biomarker testing, persistent stigma, and deep‐rooted structural inequities. To address these gaps and foster regionally informed solutions, the Alzheimer's Association convened the 2025 Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) Satellite Symposium in Lima, Peru, on May 14–15, in collaboration with the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) and the Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health. The meeting aimed to bring core elements of the global AAIC meeting to regional Latin American settings, recognizing that national and cultural contexts demand tailored approaches to dementia prevention, risk reduction, treatment and care all aimed at promoting brain health in the region. This manuscript synthesizes the symposium's key discussions, scientific advances, and opportunities for collaboration across the region.</jats:p>
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