Association Between Cardiovascular Risk and Cognition in Latin American Older Adults.

• Grant number: 25/12153-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 02, 2025
• End date: December 01, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Psychiatry
• Principal Investigator: Márcia Regina Cominetti
• Grantee: Pedro Henrique Moreira Victoriano
• Supervisor: Claudia Duran Aniotz
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidad Adolfo Ibañez, Campus Peñalolén, Chile
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/17574-1 - Association between ADAM10 levels and cardiovascular risk in cognitively healthy adults, BP.IC

Abstract

Cardiovascular risk factors (CVD-RFs) such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and dyslipidemia are well-established contributors to cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease (AD), due to overlapping biological mechanisms. Yet, evidence from low and middle-income countries (LMIC's) remains scarce. This gap limits the development of regionally appropriate and inclusive dementia prevention strategies. This project aims to investigate whether higher cardiovascular risk (CVR) is associated with cognitive changes in cognitively healthy older adults. We hypothesize that individuals with greater CVR will exhibit subtle cognitive impairment indicative of early neurodegeneration. To address this, we will conduct a study with participants aged 60 and older from the Latin American Brain Health Institute (BrainLat) cohort. This cohort is a pioneering initiative based at Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (Chile), in collaboration with the University of San Francisco, Trinity College Dublin, and several Latin American centers. It aims to strengthen dementia research, training, and brain-health equity across Latin America (LATAM). Cardiovascular risk will be assessed using the Framingham Risk Score, and participants will be grouped according to their CVR profile. The study will integrate clinical and neuropsychological data to assess whether an increased CVR will be associated with a decline in cognition in the LATAM population. Statistical analysis will be performed to examine associations between cardiovascular risk and cognitive performance. By focusing on cognitively healthy individuals and underrepresented populations, this project aims to contribute to early detection efforts and promote a broader, more inclusive understanding of dementia risk across diverse contexts in the Global South. (AU)