A harmonized framework for studying exceptional cognitive aging in Latin America.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Epidemiology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Factors influencing cognitive resilience and resistance to neurodegenerative diseases are understudied in Latin America.
• The Life-Course Epidemiology of Aging, Resilience, and Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's Disease (LEARN-AD) and Latin American SuperAgers Study (LASAS) are introduced as novel research initiatives.
• These studies aim to establish harmonized frameworks for characterizing cognitive resilience and exceptional cognitive aging phenotypes within the region.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define eligibility criteria and standardized assessments for classifying successful cognitive agers and SuperAgers in Latin America.
• To investigate the biological and psychosocial profiles associated with better-than-expected cognitive function.
• To establish the first Latin American infrastructure for studying cognitive resilience and resistance to pathology.

Main Methods:

• Integration of cognitive, neurological, psychosocial, and genetic data through a shared protocol.
• Deep phenotyping of SuperAgers and harmonized criteria for identifying successful cognitive agers in existing cohorts.
• Centralized training and standardized procedures to ensure cross-site consistency and international comparability.

Main Results:

• Development of eligibility criteria and standardized assessments for identifying successful cognitive agers and SuperAgers in Latin America.
• Examination of biological and psychosocial factors that support superior cognitive function in aging populations.
• Establishment of a foundation for understanding cognitive aging phenotypes specific to the Latin American region.

Conclusions:

• LEARN-AD and LASAS represent pioneering Latin American infrastructure for cognitive resilience and exceptional aging research.
• These studies will generate unique regional databases and foster larger research networks.
• The findings will inform future research, prevention strategies, and precision approaches to promote brain health in Latin America.