Neurología Cognitiva

Brief Cognitive Screening Tools for Dementia in Low-Educated Population from South America : A Systematic Review

2026-07-01T18:14:45Z

Brief Cognitive Screening Tools for Dementia in Low-Educated Population from South America : A Systematic Review Chambergo Michilot, Diego; Custodio, Nilton; Montesinos, Rosa; Custodio, Belen; Cahuapaza Gutierrez, Nelson Luis; Caramelli, Paulo; Calandri, Ismael Luis; Dozzi Brucki, Sonia María; Suemoto, Claudia Kimie; Allegri, Ricardo Francisco; Slachevsky, Andrea; Parodi, Jose F. Introduction: Despite less education being common in Latin America, there is no systematic review on the use of brief cognitive screening (BCS) tools in illiterate and low-educated adults in the region. We systematically reviewed brief cognitive tests used to identify dementia in illiterate or low-educated adults from South America (SA). Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA and Cochrane guidelines. We searched four major databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase, for studies up to September 2023, and included observational studies that reported at least sensitivity, specificity, area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, positive predictive value, or negative predictive value of dementia screening tools in illiterate or low-educated (less than 6 years of education) adults from SA. Results: Most studies in samples with illiteracy or low education across SA used BCS tools adapted to the local population's language. Seventeen tests were identified; among them, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS) were the more common tools with good diagnostic accuracy in people with dementia. The sensitivity and specificity of reported BCS tools were at least 90%, and the area under the ROC curve was higher than 0.95. Conclusions: The cutoff points for detecting dementia in illiterates and the low-educated adult population of SA should be adjusted for most brief cognitive tests. Developing specific and sensitive cognitive batteries for our region for cognitive evaluation in low-educated/illiterate participants is mandatory, including specific functionality evaluation.

Consenso Argentino para el diagnóstico de las demencias. Primera parte : introducción, metodología de trabajo, escenario actual y algoritmos diagnósticos

2026-07-01T14:01:58Z

Consenso Argentino para el diagnóstico de las demencias. Primera parte : introducción, metodología de trabajo, escenario actual y algoritmos diagnósticos Bagnati, Pablo M.; Allegri, Ricardo Francisco; Demey, Ignacio; Bártoli, Gastón; Bérgamo, Yanina; Campos, Jorge; Castro, Diego M.; Chrem Méndez, Patricio Alexis; Cristalli, Diana Olga; Fernández, María Cecilia; Fernández, María Laura; García Lombardi, Juan Pablo; Kremer, Janus; Magrath Guimet, Nahuel; Ollari, Juan; Osa Sanz, Emilia; Russo, María Julieta; Surace, Ezequiel Ignacio; Vázquez, Silvia; Waisman Campos, Marcela El Consenso Argentino para el diagnóstico de las demencias es una iniciativa de la Asociación Argentina de Psiquiatría Biológica (AAPB). Este documento tuvo como objetivo principal elaborar un instrumento eficiente para el diagnóstico temprano de la demencia, dirigido al médico de atención primaria, y al especialista (neurólogo, psiquiatra, geriatra, clínico u otros). Durante un periodo de 5 meses de trabajo –desde agosto a diciembre del 2024– (y una breve revisión posterior a la Conferencia Internacional de Alzheimer -AAIC Toronto 2025, Julio 2025- para sumar actualización), un comité de expertos integrado por 23 profesionales se abocaron a analizar y discutir la mejor información y evidencia actualizada para lograr la sistemática diagnóstica de la demencia, focalizada en la más común de ellas en Occidente, la enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA). El documento se divide en 3 partes: esta primera donde se describe el panorama actual de la demencia en el mundo, su diferencia con el envejecimiento usual o típico, los criterios diagnósticos recientes, y los algoritmos diagnósticos para el médico de atención primaria y para el especialista. Una segunda parte, donde se aborda la sistemática de evaluación diagnóstica: neurocognitiva, neuropsiquiátrica, los biomarcadores (laboratorio, LCR, biomarcadores en plasma, neuroimágenes, genética) y la evaluación funcional. Por último, una tercera parte que incluye la descripción de los diferentes tipos de demencia con sus características clínicas y criterios diagnósticos actuales, poniendo énfasis en el diagnóstico diferencial.

International consensus for the assessment of social cognition in neurocognitive disorders: framework definition and clinical recommendations of the SIGNATURE initiative

2026-06-30T15:15:50Z

International consensus for the assessment of social cognition in neurocognitive disorders: framework definition and clinical recommendations of the SIGNATURE initiative Alessandra, Dodich; Andrea, Panzavolta; Giulia, Funghi; Claudia, Meli; Cristina, Festari; Thanos, Chatzikostopoulos; Christian, Chicherio; Clarens, María Florencia; Fabricio, Ferreira de Oliveira; Marco, Filardi; Agustin, Ibanez; Laura, Invernizzi; Thibaud, Lebouvier; Giancarlo, Logroscino; Sarah E., MacPherson; Riccardo, Manca; Camillo, Marra; Jordi A., Matias-Guiu; SIGNATURE Consortium Background: Socio-cognitive assessment in neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) is rare in clinical practice and no consensus exists as to a uniform operationalization of socio-cognitive measures for NCDs in memory clinics. The SIGNATURE initiative aims to optimize the use of socio-cognitive measures in memory clinics, defining expert recommendations. We report consortium guidelines for the use of socio-cognitive measures in NCDs based on available evidence from the literature and the current state of practices in memory clinics. Methods: Using a Delphi consensus method supported by a literature review and the results of an international survey, 22 specialists defined recommendations for the context of use, relevance in NCD diagnosis, priorities for future research and facilitators/obstacles of socio-cognitive assessment in major and mild NCDs. Results: Overall, panelists recommended social cognition testing in routine diagnostic assessment to evaluate both socio-cognitive and socio-behavioral alterations. A set of clinical, methodological, implementation and external factors facilitating or hampering the use of socio-cognitive tasks was identified. Conclusions: This is the first focused endeavor to favor the implementation of socio-cognitive assessment, which is required by DSM-5 but seldom performed despite clear evidence of its clinical relevance for diagnosis and care. Our results provide an initial set of recommendations, refinable through the future actions of the SIGNATURE initiative. Future collaborative clinical research projects should overcome current limitations and foster the use of ecological and cross-culturally validated measures in clinics.

Gait Speed is Associated with Executive Function in Latin American Older Adults from LatAmFINGERS

2026-06-23T13:34:29Z

Gait Speed is Associated with Executive Function in Latin American Older Adults from LatAmFINGERS Gutiérrez, Myriam; Marroig, Alejandra; Delgado, Carolina; Slachevsky, Andrea; Charamelo, Ana; Aguillon Niño, David Fernando; Crivelli, Lucía Dementia prevalence is increasing with aging worldwide, a leading cause of disability in Latin American Countries (LAC). Interestingly, physical performance has been reported as a predictor of cognitive decline, and gait speed has emerged as a potential clinical marker of executive dysfunction. However, evidence of the association between physical and cognitive measures remains scarce, especially in LAC older adults. This study examined the association between gait speed and executive function in older adults from 12 LAC countries. A cross-sectional study including 1,243 participants aged 60 to 77 years from the LatAm-FINGERS randomized multicenter cohort at baseline. Sociodemographic, lifestyle, and health data were collected. Physical performance was assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), with gait speed measured by a standardized 4-meter walk test. Executive and processing speed were evaluated with the Trail Making Test A and B, Stroop interference index (SII), semantic and phonological fluency, and Concept Shifting Test motor speed (CST-MS). Linear regressions and composite scores were computed. The preliminary results indicate that participants’ mean age was 67.5 ± 4.7 years (67.5% female). Faster gait speed was significantly associated with better Stroop C (p < 0.00001), Stroop P (p = 0.001), semantic fluency (p = 0.02), and higher Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores. Associations with CST-MS and TMT tests were not statistically significant. This study is the first effort in LAC to associate gait speed with executive tests, contributing to the understanding of a useful functional measure as gait speed, and its potential future preventive applications in LAC.