Research

Well-designed epidemiological research is lacking in many world regions, particularly in low and middle income countries where two thirds of the world's estimated 24 million people with dementia live (1). Earlier studies have suggested that the prevalence of dementia may be considerably lower in developing than in developed parts of the world (2).

The 10/66 Dementia Research Group research program was designed to quantify dementia prevalence, incidence and impact across the Latin American region with comparisons with China and India. We have developed and validated a novel approach to diagnosing dementia (the 10/66 Dementia Diagnosis) that addresses difficulties in making diagnoses among older people with little or no education, and does so in a comparably valid way across four world regions with their diverse languages and cultures. We use the same standardized core protocol for all of our studies.

These studies will contribute to global and regional awareness of the impact of dementia and other chronic health conditions in regions experiencing rapid demographic ageing, and the health transition. We also aim to inform health promotion and disease prevention through the identification of modifiable risk factors for dementia, stroke and mortality, some of which may be region specific.

1. Ferri CP, Prince M, Brayne C, et al. Global prevalence of dementia: a Delphi consensus study. Lancet 2005 Dec 17;366:2112-2117.
2. The 10/66 Dementia Research Group. Methodological issues in population-based research into dementia in developing countries. A position paper from the 10/66 Dementia Research Group. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 2000;15:21-30.

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