Topic: Health
A study in Latin America found that a lifestyle program improved memory and thinking skills in older adults at risk of dementia. The program included exercise, healthy eating, and social engagement. The results were published in The Lancet.
Older adults at risk of dementia took part in a lifestyle program called LatAm-FINGERS across 11 Latin American countries. This program improved their memory, thinking skills, and overall cognitive performance. The strongest benefits were seen among participants who received more structured guidance, including regular coaching and support.
The study was funded by the Alzheimer's Association and followed participants for two years. The results were presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) 2026 in London. They build on previous research from the U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (U.S. POINTER).
The LatAm-FINGERS program was adapted to local cultures and habits, making it practical, affordable, and feasible as a public health strategy. Exercise options included familiar activities such as salsa and tango, along with outdoor group workouts in public parks. Nutrition guidance also modified the MIND diet to better fit regional eating habits and food availability.
The study included significant racial and ethnic diversity, and a wide range in education and socioeconomic status (SES). The results demonstrate that brain health can be improved across diverse communities representing different cultures and with varying access to resources.
Why It Matters
This study shows that lifestyle programs can improve memory and thinking skills in older adults. This is important for India because the country is facing a growing burden of dementia. By adapting these programs to local cultures, they can be made more accessible and effective in reducing risk factors for dementia.
Key Facts
- The LatAm-FINGERS program improved memory and thinking skills in older adults at risk of dementia by 55% more than basic health advice.
- The study was conducted across 11 Latin American countries and included significant racial and ethnic diversity, and a wide range in education and socioeconomic status (SES).
- The program was adapted to local cultures and habits, making it practical, affordable, and feasible as a public health strategy.
- Exercise options included familiar activities such as salsa and tango, along with outdoor group workouts in public parks.
- Nutrition guidance modified the MIND diet to better fit regional eating habits and food availability.
Key Terms
- Dementia
- A condition that affects memory, thinking skills, and behavior, often caused by Alzheimer's disease.
Implications
This study shows that lifestyle programs can improve memory and thinking skills in older adults. This is important for India because the country is facing a growing burden of dementia. By adapting these programs to local cultures, they can be made more accessible and effective in reducing risk factors for dementia.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260903064246.htm
Journal reference:
- Lucia Crivelli, Claudia Kimie Suemoto, Ana Luisa Sosa, Francisco Lopera, David Aguillón, Ricardo Francisco Allegri, Ricardo Nitrini, Ismael Luis Calandri, Lina Velilla-Jiménez, Mônica Sanches Yassuda, Natalia Acosta-Baena, Rosa María Salinas, Ana Charamelo, Carolina Delgado Derio, Daisy Miguelina Acosta, Jorge Mario León-Salas, Lissette Duque-Peñailillo, María Isabel Cusicanqui, Nilton Custodio, Adriana Anchia-Alfaro, Alberto Núñez-Herrera, Alejandra De Rubens, Alice Leites, Ana Vigil-Martínez, Andrés Damian, Beatriz María Flores-Blanco, Belén Custodio, Carlos Laforcada, Carlos Márquez, Clarisse Vasconcelos Friedlaender, Clara Gabriela Espinoza-Cruz, Cristina Cañadas, Cristiane Peixoto, Darina Helen Muñoz, Diego Fernández Slezak, Elainy Felix, Esteban Aguirre-Salvador, Ezequiel Ignacio Surace, Francesca Mariani, Gabriela Rojas De La Torre, Graciet Verástegui, Greta Keller, Gustavo Henrique Peixoto, Handel Arturo Morilla, Ivonne Z Jiménez-Velázquez, Jamileth Yasmín More, Javiera Francisca Rodríguez, Jéssica Abdo Gonçalves Tosatti, João Victor de Faria Rocha, Jonathan Saldarriaga-Hernández, José Carlos Huilca, José Tomás García-Molina, Joyce Graciela Martínez-Galindo, Juan Carlos Duran, Juana Guillermina Rodriguez, Karina Braga Gomes, Karolina Gouveia César-Freitas, Katherine Agüero, Lara Mora-Villalobos, Laura Osorio Asprilla, Leonardo Cruz de Souza, Ligia Soto, Lucia Cortabarría, Lucy Baldeón, Luzia Lima Carreira, Lizeth Marin-Buitrago, Maira Camila Moreno, Maira Tonidandel Barbosa, Maren Torheim, Maria Aquimara Zambone Magalhães, Maria da Graça Morais Martin, Maria Eugenia Martin, Melissa Francisca Torres, Mercedes Menéndez, Micaela Anahi Hernandez, Mónica Sánchez Granizo, Myriam Gutiérrez, Nicolás Corvalán, Paula Jimena Mora, Pedro Peguero, Rocío Ramírez-Santos, Rodrigo Sebastian Fernández, Rosa Montesinos, Sebastian Ospina-Henao, Silvia Ysabel Montes, Sofía Santero, Sonia Maria Dozzi Brucki, Sylvia Josephy-Hernandez, Tomas Casildo Vazquez, Yanina Bérgamo, Yamile Bocanegra, Yleana Altagracia Muñoz, Yosselin Vicuña, Zoraida Del Carmen Lora, Miia Kivipelto, Rema Raman, Mark A Espeland, Laura D Baker, Heather M Snyder, Gustavo Emilio Sevlever, María C Carrillo, Paulo Caramelli, Agostina Carello, Carolina Ardohain Cristalli, Daniel Avendaño, Diego Querze, Emiliana Seminara, Julieta Tortonesi, Loana De los Santos, María Bellucci, Matias Alet, Micaela Arruabarrena, Romina Maur, Sofía Elgani, Vanina Banjsak, Victoria Massazza, Celeny Velarde, Deby Mallo, Griselda Gamboa, Mariana Rengel, Sergio Silva, Adalberto Studart-Neto, Ana Luísa de Meneses, Andreia de Andrade Dias, André Lopes, Bruno Rodrigues, Dalila Lima, Davi Cardoso, Eduardo Rios, Eduardo Trés, Fabiana Tameirão, Flavia Machado, Isabella Avolio, Jerusa Smid, Jéssica Pereira, Laís Figueiredo, Leonel Takada, Letícia da Silva, Letícia de Souza, Marcelo Prates, Pedro Bandeira Mendonça, Sérgio Jardim, Silvia Merlin, Valquíria Barbara, Vinícius Jeunon, Vitória Vieira, Alexandra Zepeda, Jacinta Bravo, Jose Lema, Maria Urrutia, Natalia Pozo, Oriana Lara, Rodrigo Gomez, Rodrigo Vergara, Claudia Guzman, Claudia Muñoz, Cristian Morales, Eliana Henao, Francisco Piedrahita, Gloria Deossa R, Gloria Garcia, Juan Felipe Quintero, Laura Serna, Manuela Arcila, Santiago Montaña, Victoria Tirado, Vladimir Zapata, Alessandro Solis-Perez, Diego Quesada-Loría, Esteban Zavaleta-Monestel, Luis Ortega-Araya, Paula Chinchilla-Fonseca, Sebastian Arguedas-Chacon, Vivian Chaves-Quirós, Claudia Acra-Despradel, Peter Stoeter, Rosanny Roman, Rossil Rodriguez, Tatiana Gonzales, Yohenny Castillo, Adriana Rueda, Alberto Nuñez - Duque, Gladys Bautista, Natalia Andrade, Victoria Ruiz, Ana Isidro-Pérez, Isabel Galindo Molina, Alexanderson Fernández, Fiorela López, Isabel Loyola, Maria Fe Albujar, Milagros Núñez, Pamela Bartolo, Rossanna Cruz del Castillo, Zadith Yauri, Alejandra Amestoy, Fabian Preciozzi, Florencia Arredondo, Juan Andres Abin-Carriquiry, Laura Bocos, Laura Reyes, Laura Uriarte, Leandro Dansilio, Lucia Fernandez, Margarita García-Fontes, Ramon Suarez, Roberto Superchi, Rodolfo Ferrando, Sergio Dansilio, Valeria Contreras. Multidomain lifestyle intervention for the prevention of cognitive decline in at-risk older adults in Latin America (LatAm-FINGERS): a single-blind, multicentre, randomised controlled trial. The Lancet, 2026; 408 (10553): 417 DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(26)01278-X
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