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2022 Pilot Awards for Global Brain Health Leaders (GBHI)

Cognitive, clinical, and genetic characterization of dementia in Colombia

What is the prevalence of dementia and its risk factors for older individuals living in Columbia?

Lina Maria Zapata Restrepo, MD
Fundacion Valle del Lili
Cali, Colombia



Background

Diagnosis of Alzheimer's and other dementia at early stages allows the best chance for treatment to alleviate symptoms and minimize the burden of the disease. In low- and middle-income countries, diagnosis can be delayed due to deficiencies in healthcare infrastructure and other barriers. As the population of adults aged 60 years and older begins to rise in Latin American and Caribbean countries, there is a need to understand the prevalence of dementia and identify risk factors in individuals in this region. Dr. Lina Maria Zapata-Restrepo proposes a pilot study that will identify the prevalence and risk factors of dementia among older individuals living in Columbia.

Research Plan

Dr. Zapata-Restrepo and colleagues will first study the accuracy of standard cognitive screening tools to evaluate the prevalence of dementia in Columbia. They plan to conduct their study at two major hospitals in Cali, Columbia and will recruit 40 individuals with dementia as well as 40 cognitively unimpaired individuals for the study. Next, the researchers will perform a family history evaluation as well as an analysis of biological markers in the blood in the 40 individuals with dementia in the study to examine the genetic risk factors for dementia in individuals living in Columbia.

Impact

Results from this study may shed new light on the prevalence and risk factors of dementia in Columbia and could improve early diagnosis of dementia in older individuals across this region.

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