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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
A two-year trial across 11 Latin American countries found that a structured, culturally adapted lifestyle program — combining exercise, diet, cognitive training, and social support — improved global cognition 55% more than general health advice alone in older adults at risk for dementia. The LatAm-FINGERS study, published in The Lancet, shows that evidence-based dementia prevention can work beyond high-income settings when tailored to local cultures.
A major two-year randomized trial called LatAm-FINGERS enrolled 1,065 older adults at elevated dementia risk across 11 Latin American countries. Participants were split into two groups: one received a structured, coach-supported program combining supervised exercise, adapted dietary guidance, computerized cognitive training, cardiovascular monitoring, and 38 group meetings; the other received periodic health education and general lifestyle tips. The results, published in The Lancet and presented at AAIC 2026 in London, were clear — structure wins.
The program wasn't a simple translation of its U.S. predecessor. Researchers incorporated salsa and tango for exercise, regional foods like quinoa, açaí, and avocado, and local community traditions to keep participants engaged. The approach demonstrated that culturally adapted, affordable interventions can deliver real cognitive benefits even in lower-resource settings — a first for Latin America.
Latin America carries a disproportionately high and rapidly growing dementia burden, yet has historically been underrepresented in prevention research. LatAm-FINGERS demonstrates that multidomain lifestyle programs can be adapted globally — and that simply telling patients to "eat better and exercise more" isn't enough. Structured support, accountability, and cultural fit are what drive lasting change.
