Background: The 10/66 Latin America and Caribbean network comprises 13 centres in 10 countries united to some extent by history, culture and language. The 10/66 Dementia Diagnosis Pilot study established a regionally validated method for population-based research, translated into Spanish and Portuguese. Caregiver and service use assessments were also piloted. Subsequently, the 10/66 group has developed harmonized risk factor assessments and identified suitable physical examination protocols and measures of illness impact, for the forthcoming population-based studies.
Methods: In Latin America, funding has been confirmed for population-based studies in Brazil, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Venezuela. Each study will recruit at least 2000 persons aged 65 and over. The core aims for all studies are:
a) to estimate prevalence in a way that allows valid cross-cultural comparison b) to assess the psychological, practical and economic impact upon the caregiver c) to assess the role of urban vs. rural residence, vascular risk factors, diet and lifestyle upon risk for dementia and AD
In addition, studies in Cuba and Brazil (populations characterized by African/ Caucasian admixture), will test the hypothesis that African ancestry is associated with a reduced risk for AD and dementia. The study in the Dominican Republic will evaluate the effectiveness of a caregiver education and training intervention.
Objective: To describe the background to the development of the 10/66 Dementia Research Group’s Latin American and Caribbean Network, its relationship with development of the specialism of Old Age Psychiatry in the region, and the design and current status of 10/66 population-based studies in the region.
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