Title
Biomarkers for dementia in Latin American countries: Gaps and opportunities
Date Issued
01 January 2022
Access level
open access
Resource Type
research article
Author(s)
Parra M.A.
Orellana P.
Leon T.
Victoria C.G.
Henriquez F.
Gomez R.
Avalos C.
Damian A.
Slachevsky A.
Ibañez A.
Zetterberg H.
Tijms B.M.
Yokoyama J.S.
Piña-Escudero S.D.
Cochran J.N.
Matallana D.L.
Acosta D.
Allegri R.
Arias-Suárez B.P.
Barra B.
Behrens M.I.
Brucki S.M.D.
Busatto G.
Caramelli P.
Contreras V.
Dansilio S.
la Cruz-Puebla M.D.
de Souza L.C.
Diaz M.M.
Duque L.
Farías G.A.
Ferreira S.T.
Guimet N.M.
Kmaid A.
Lopera F.
Meza B.M.
Miotto E.C.
Nitrini R.
Nuñez A.
O'Neill S.
Ochoa J.
Pintado-Caipa M.
Resende E.d.P.F.
Risacher S.
Rojas L.A.
Sabaj V.
Schilling L.
Sellek A.F.
Sosa A.
Takada L.T.
Teixeira A.L.
Unaucho-Pilalumbo M.
Duran-Aniotz C.
Abstract
Limited knowledge on dementia biomarkers in Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries remains a serious barrier. Here, we reported a survey to explore the ongoing work, needs, interests, potential barriers, and opportunities for future studies related to biomarkers. The results show that neuroimaging is the most used biomarker (73%), followed by genetic studies (40%), peripheral fluids biomarkers (31%), and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers (29%). Regarding barriers in LAC, lack of funding appears to undermine the implementation of biomarkers in clinical or research settings, followed by insufficient infrastructure and training. The survey revealed that despite the above barriers, the region holds a great potential to advance dementia biomarkers research. Considering the unique contributions that LAC could make to this growing field, we highlight the urgent need to expand biomarker research. These insights allowed us to propose an action plan that addresses the recommendations for a biomarker framework recently proposed by regional experts.
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Neurociencias
Subjects
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85138014229
PubMed ID
Source
Alzheimer's and Dementia
ISSN of the container
15525260
Sponsor(s)
Funding text 1
We thank Sandro Casavilca-Zambrano, Gabriel Espinoza Coronel, Jose Carlos Huilca Flores, Pablo Martinez-Lage, Dongjun Yoo, and Fernando Lara Roquette, who participated in answering the survey. C.D.A. is partially supported by 2018-AARG-591107, ANID/FONDEF IDEA ID20I10152, ANID/FONDECYT Regular 1210622, and ANID/PIA/ANILLOS ACT210096. A.I. is supported by grants from CONICET; ANID/FONDECYT Regular (1210195 and 1210176); ANID/FONDAP (15150012); FONCYT-PICT 2017-1820; Takeda CW2680521; Sistema General de Regalías (BPIN2018000100059), Universidad del Valle (CI 5316); Alzheimer's Association GBHI ALZ UK-20-639295; and the MULTI-PARTNER CONSORTIUM TO EXPAND DEMENTIA RESEARCH IN LATIN AMERICA (ReDLat, supported by National Institutes of Health, National Institutes of Aging [R01 AG057234], Alzheimer's Association [SG-20-725707], Rainwater Charitable foundation-Tau Consortium, and Global Brain Health Institute). M.I.B. is supported by ANID/Fondecyt Regular (1190958), ANID/FONDEF-IDEA (ID20I10252 and (ID19I10302), and ANID/Fondequip 2021. The contents of this publication are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not represent the official views of these Institutions. L.C.S. and P.C. hold a senior researcher grant (bolsa de produtividade em pesquisa) from CNPq, Brazil. STF is funded by the Brazilian agencies Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), and National Institute for Translational Neuroscience. H.Z. is a Wallenberg Scholar supported by grants from the Swedish Research Council (#2018-02532), the European Research Council (#681712), Swedish State Support for Clinical Research (#ALFGBG-720931), the Alzheimer Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF), USA (#201809-2016862), the AD Strategic Fund and the Alzheimer's Association (#ADSF-21-831376-C, #ADSF-21-831381-C and #ADSF-21-831377-C), the Olav Thon Foundation, the Erling-Persson Family Foundation, Stiftelsen för Gamla Tjänarinnor, Hjärnfonden, Sweden (#FO2019-0228), the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 860197 (MIRIADE), European Union Joint Program for Neurodegenerative Disorders (JPND2021-00694), and the UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL. F.H. was supported by grants from ANID-Subdirección de Capital Humano/Doctorado Nacional/2021- 21211349, Chile.
Funding text 2
LAC hosts unprecedented opportunities to advance biomarker development and validation globally. Our survey suggests that the region holds positive attitudes to embark on such developments. Respondents of this survey who are not currently using biomarkers reported their eagerness to incorporate “all biomarkers that they could work with.” Previous reports have characterized regional realities and provided action plans to tackle them. Here, we specifically aim to contribute to the biomarker framework proposed by the LAC‐CD's Knowledge to Action Plan, which includes: (1) Validation and implementation of harmonized protocols such as the A/T/N framework in LAC hubs. This survey provided evidence of centers that act as such hubs. (2) Strengthening of partnership with the Alzheimer's Association and the National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Aging (NIH/NIA) to improve regional grant proposals, expand funding opportunities and increase collaborative work among LAC‐CD members. This survey has contributed evidence on funding barriers and eagerness of respondents to engage in collaborative work. We have initiated discussions with leaders of the Neuroimaging and Biofluid Based Biomarkers Professional Interest Areas of ISTAART to set up regional biomarker networks and collaborative groups. (3) Introduction of complementary affordable biomarkers based on new assessments depending on the infrastructure available in each LAC country included in this study. The survey contributed evidence on laboratories where biofluid‐based biomarkers could be swiftly introduced or enhanced. We will invite these center and groups to join the LAC Biomarker Network to expand funding opportunities. (4) Improved understanding of the interplay of the genetic mechanisms, clinical phenotypes, and severity of neurodegenerative diseases. The survey provided valuable information that complements previous efforts from LAC‐CD and together they pave the way for future work on the above factors. There are ongoing initiatives that will contribute and further benefit from such work (ReDLat, NIH‐R01 consortia grants of biomarkers/epigenetics/linguistic, and LAC funding of new peripheral biomarkers). (5) Promotion of efforts via capacity building, implementation science, and translational research to support regional dementia plans; enhance the regional health systems’ infrastructure related to brain health; and facilitate future agreements with governments to increase the budget for dementia prevention, care, and research. We are confident that new collaborative initiatives currently considering the LAC region will soon materialize. 3
Funding text 3
We thank Sandro Casavilca‐Zambrano, Gabriel Espinoza Coronel, Jose Carlos Huilca Flores, Pablo Martinez‐Lage, Dongjun Yoo, and Fernando Lara Roquette, who participated in answering the survey. C.D.A. is partially supported by 2018‐AARG‐591107, ANID/FONDEF IDEA ID20I10152, ANID/FONDECYT Regular 1210622, and ANID/PIA/ANILLOS ACT210096. A.I. is supported by grants from CONICET; ANID/FONDECYT Regular (1210195 and 1210176); ANID/FONDAP (15150012); FONCYT‐PICT 2017‐1820; Takeda CW2680521; Sistema General de Regalías (BPIN2018000100059), Universidad del Valle (CI 5316); Alzheimer's Association GBHI ALZ UK‐20‐639295; and the MULTI‐PARTNER CONSORTIUM TO EXPAND DEMENTIA RESEARCH IN LATIN AMERICA (ReDLat, supported by National Institutes of Health, National Institutes of Aging [R01 AG057234], Alzheimer's Association [SG‐20‐725707], Rainwater Charitable foundation‐Tau Consortium, and Global Brain Health Institute). M.I.B. is supported by ANID/Fondecyt Regular (1190958), ANID/FONDEF‐IDEA (ID20I10252 and (ID19I10302), and ANID/Fondequip 2021. The contents of this publication are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not represent the official views of these Institutions. L.C.S. and P.C. hold a senior researcher grant (bolsa de produtividade em pesquisa) from CNPq, Brazil. STF is funded by the Brazilian agencies Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), and National Institute for Translational Neuroscience. H.Z. is a Wallenberg Scholar supported by grants from the Swedish Research Council (#2018‐02532), the European Research Council (#681712), Swedish State Support for Clinical Research (#ALFGBG‐720931), the Alzheimer Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF), USA (#201809‐2016862), the AD Strategic Fund and the Alzheimer's Association (#ADSF‐21‐831376‐C, #ADSF‐21‐831381‐C and #ADSF‐21‐831377‐C), the Olav Thon Foundation, the Erling‐Persson Family Foundation, Stiftelsen för Gamla Tjänarinnor, Hjärnfonden, Sweden (#FO2019‐0228), the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska‐Curie grant agreement No 860197 (MIRIADE), European Union Joint Program for Neurodegenerative Disorders (JPND2021‐00694), and the UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL. F.H. was supported by grants from ANID‐Subdirección de Capital Humano/Doctorado Nacional/2021‐ 21211349, Chile.
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