AUTHOR=Ibanez Agustin , Yokoyama Jennifer S. , Possin Katherine L. , Matallana Diana , Lopera Francisco , Nitrini Ricardo , Takada Leonel T. , Custodio Nilton , Sosa Ortiz Ana Luisa , Avila-Funes José Alberto , Behrens Maria Isabel , Slachevsky Andrea , Myers Richard M. , Cochran J. Nicholas , Brusco Luis Ignacio , Bruno Martin A. , Brucki Sonia M. D. , Pina-Escudero Stefanie Danielle , Okada de Oliveira Maira , Donnelly Kehoe Patricio , Garcia Adolfo M. , Cardona Juan Felipe , Santamaria-Garcia Hernando , Moguilner Sebastian , Duran-Aniotz Claudia , Tagliazucchi Enzo , Maito Marcelo , Longoria Ibarrola Erika Mariana , Pintado-Caipa Maritza , Godoy Maria Eugenia , Bakman Vera , Javandel Shireen , Kosik Kenneth S. , Valcour Victor , Miller Bruce L. TITLE=The Multi-Partner Consortium to Expand Dementia Research in Latin America (ReDLat): Driving Multicentric Research and Implementation Science JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neurology VOLUME=12 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2021.631722 DOI=10.3389/fneur.2021.631722 ISSN=1664-2295 ABSTRACT=

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.