Expanding Representation of Low and Middle Income Countries in Global Dementia Research: Commentary From the Alzheimer's Association

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and all other dementia represent a global challenge, with an estimated 50 million individuals in the world living with dementia today. In low and middle income countries (LMICs), the burden of disease often is greater, and some of these countries are projected to have some of the largest increases in dementia prevalence during the next few decades. As the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to AD and all other dementia, the Alzheimer's Association is committed to its vision of a world without dementia and recognizes the needs, challenges, and opportunities for dementia research in all parts of the world, and especially in LMICs. Currently, the Association is devoting more than $215 million in funding to nearly 600 best-of-field projects in 31 countries, including a significant number of projects that advance and support LMIC-specific research. The innovative work in LMICs is focused on addressing unmet needs or challenges associated with the many unique cultural, demographic, and economic characteristics of these countries. The Association also is expanding leading global forums such as the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC). In an effort to create new learning and participation opportunities, the Association also has been partnering with other international organizations and collaborating with local leadership to provide AAIC Satellite Symposia (AAIC SS) in LMIC regions around the world. In 2021 and beyond, the Association is committed to continuing these LMIC-focused initiatives, identifying gaps in LMIC research and resources, and enhancing collaboration and communication among researchers in these regions.

A scoping review of family-centered interventions in dementia care

“…Only a few studies were situated in a global South or Eastern context (Hammell, 2019). This finding ties in with available literature that has highlighted disparities in dementia research across the globe (Sexton et al, 2021) and supports the need for more research situated in these less explored contexts. Diverse conceptualizations of family and familial roles exist across contexts and cultures.…”

Biomarkers for dementia in Latin American countries: Gaps and opportunities

“…The biomarkers suggested by recent consensus 11,29 are both scarce and scattered in LAC. 43,44 Regarding PET scans, economic and political factors were identified as barriers to advances in PET imaging in LAC.…”

“…There are now a few recent examples from LAC that support the impact of joint efforts. The Latin America and the Caribbean Consortium on Dementia (LAC‐CD) and The Multi‐Partner Consortium to Expand Dementia Research in Latin America (ReDLat) are two prominent initiatives that have highlighted the need to harmonize practice across LAC and have proposed a new knowledge‐to‐action plan that includes a Biomarker Framework 3,44,60,61 . Briefly, LAC‐CD, at the time this survey study was run, involved 172 members from Central and South American countries with an interest and different levels of expertise in dementia research and clinical practice 61 .…”

Facilitators and Barriers to Dementia Assessment and Diagnosis: Perspectives From Dementia Experts Within a Global Health Context

“…However, many also identified the development of international collaborations as a strength that can be built on. International collaborations and global coordination is important both for inclusiveness in research to ensure representative research cohorts, as well as to address the unequal impact of dementia across the globe ( 32 ). A key example is Alzheimer's Disease International's coordination of the development of national dementia care plans and writing annual reports about dementia in LMIC.…”