NCT06492967

LatAm-FINGERS Initiative for Cognitive Change

Latin American Lifestyle Intervention Initiative to Reduce the Risk and Prevent Cognitive Impairment.

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 1,200 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Fundación para la Lucha contra las Enfermedades Neurológicas de la Infancia · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 60 Years – 77 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Currently, 40% of global dementia cases can be prevented through lifestyle changes, with Latin America having a 56% potential reduction due to its high-risk factors. At the moment, there are no medications that halt the clinical expression of dementia. LatAm-FINGERS, a multicenter study across 12 Latin American countries, aims to study the feasibility of an intervention modifying lifestyle in individuals aged 60 to 77 at risk of dementia. Success could influence public policy on clinical care for older adults.

Detailed description

Today we know that 40% of dementia cases worldwide can be prevented through lifestyle modification. If we look at Latin America, this number is 56%. Latin America is a region with high-risk factors for dementia due to weakened socioeconomic infrastructure, an impoverished healthcare system, and low average education levels in the region. Additionally, we know that cardiovascular health is an important factor in the development of dementia. Under this scenario, LatAm-FINGERS is a multicenter study designed to prevent memory decline through lifestyle modification in people aged 60 to 77 at risk of dementia. Twelve Latin American countries are participating (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Peru), with 100 individuals per center. These individuals are randomly assigned to two groups: (1) a group making systematic lifestyle changes (physical and cognitive training, implementation of the Mediterranean-dietary approach to stop hypertension (DASH) Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet, socialization, and regular health check-ups) and (2) a group receiving regular health advice. The main objective of LatAm-FINGERS is to determine if this intervention is feasible in Latin America. Secondarily, we want to test if this lifestyle change can lead to improvements in participants' cognition over time (2 years). If successful, the results of this study will have large-scale implications for public policy regarding the standard of clinical care and prescriptive practices for a fast-growing and vulnerable population of older adults. LatAm-FINGERS is based on the Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER), which demonstrated that lifestyle modification promotes positive changes in memory and attention. Additionally, our study is aligned with the U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (U.S. POINTER), which is conducting a similar intervention in the United States. This project is fully funded by the Alzheimer's Association.

Conditions

• Alzheimer Disease

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Systematic Lifestyle Intervention	Lifestyle intervention that involves providing participants with education, support, and tangible tools to assist them in developing and carrying out healthier lifestyle practices.
BEHAVIORAL	Flexible Lifestyle Intervention	Lifestyle intervention that involves a structured program of diet, physical and cognitive exercise, and management of cardiometabolic risks.

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-09-01
• Primary completion: 2027-12-01
• Completion: 2027-12-01
• First posted: 2024-07-09
• Last updated: 2024-07-09

Locations

13 sites across 12 countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay