FROM THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2026 LIFESTYLE PROGRAM IMPROVES BRAIN HEALTH AMONG OLDER ADULTS AT RISK FOR DEMENTIA ACROSS LATIN AMERICA

The LatAm-FINGERS study shows lifestyle interventions adapted across Latin American cultures, health systems and communities can improve memory, thinking and overall cognitive function in older adults at risk for cognitive decline and dementia. The results reinforce findings from the U.S. POINTER trial showing that a multi-component lifestyle intervention with structured guidance, coaching and peer support improves cognitive function more than a self-guided approach in at-risk older adults. The Alzheimer's Association-funded Latin American Initiative for Lifestyle Intervention to Prevent Cognitive Decline (LatAm-FINGERS) found that two culturally tailored lifestyle interventions improved memory, thinking and overall cognitive function in older adults at risk of dementia across 11 Latin American countries, with the strongest gains seen in participants receiving structured support and coaching. Findings from the two-year study reported today at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference ® (AAIC ® ) 2026 in London and online build on and reinforce results from the U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk ( U.S. POINTER ), demonstrating that multidomain lifestyle interventions — including physical activity, healthy eating, cognitive training and social engagement — can be successfully adapted across diverse cultures, health systems and communities. The study is also being published simultaneously in The Lancet. "The results demonstrate for the first time in Latin America that culturally adapted lifestyle interventions can be successfully implemented across diverse countries and communities, and deliver cognitive benefits for populations that are often underrepresented in clinical...