INEU.posters

Understanding the challenges faced by dementia researchers: Findings from a global survey on capacity building

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Understanding the challenges faced by dementia researchers: Findings from a global survey on capacity building Morello García, Florentina; Corvalán, Nicolás; Arruabarrena, Micaela María; Clarens, María Florencia; Keller, Greta; De Los Santos, Loana; Martin, María Eugenia; Allegri, Ricardo Francisco; Aguzzoli, Cristiano S.; Amaral, Livia; Ardohain Cristalli, Carolina Agata; Bellaver, Bruna; Best, Merci N.; Bloomquist, Madeleine; Fontana, Igor C.; Chen, Kevin; Hernández, Micaela Anahí; Magrath Guimet, Nahuel; Surace, Ezequiel Ignacio; Crivelli, Lucía Background: Different global initiatives aim to support researchers in their fields of study. World Young Leaders in Dementia (WYLD) is an international organization dedicated to connecting and supporting young professionals in the dementia field. One of its missions is to promote the development of leadership skills through capacity building. This concept encompasses five key areas: education and training, funding and investment, infrastructure development, collaborations and networking, and community engagement. Understanding researchers' working and academic conditions is the first step toward implementing targeted interventions to foster their growth. The aim of this work is to describe the main challenges faced by dementia researchers globally. Method: A comprehensive survey was designed to gather insights from dementia researchers, exploring demographic information and five key domains of capacity building. It was disseminated through WYLD's membership list and partnerships with dementia‐focused organizations (e.g., ISTAART Professional Interest Areas, International Neuropsychological Society Special Interest Groups). A preliminary analysis was performed, focusing on education and training as well as funding and investment. Result: The participants (n = 125) were primarily women (69%) residing in low‐ and middle‐income countries (75.2%). Among respondents, only 39% hold full‐time academic positions, and just 20% dedicate 100% of their professional time to academia. A 65% report that the scientific system in their country is either underdeveloped or not prioritized as public policy. Furthermore, 93.7% state that funding sources—including salaries, grants, travel scholarships, and other forms of support—are scarce or nonexistent for early‐career researchers. However, 62.4% reported receiving specialized training in dementia, and 65.6% stated their groups provide regular learning opportunities. Finally, the primary barriers to leadership development were: limited financial resources, limited infrastructure, and low visibility and recognition. Figure 1 summarizes the main results. Conclusion: The findings underscore significant challenges faced by dementia researchers. Limited financial resources, inadequate infrastructure, and low visibility and recognition remain critical barriers to leadership development and professional growth. Nevertheless, many researchers reported access to specialized training and regular learning opportunities within their groups, providing a foundation for strengthening capacity‐building initiatives. Closing these gaps through targeted interventions is crucial to fostering the next generation of leaders in dementia research.

Physical Performance and its Association with Executive Function in Latin American Older Adults: Evidence from the LatAmFINGERS Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Physical Performance and its Association with Executive Function in Latin American Older Adults: Evidence from the LatAmFINGERS Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial Gutiérrez, Myriam; Marroig, Alejandra; Concha, Nicole; Delgado, Carolina; Charamelo, Ana; Burgos, Pablo; Slachevsky, Andrea; Dansilio, Sergio; Lema, Jose; Martinez, Melissa; Márquez, Carlos; Pozo Castro, Natalia; Moreno, Maira; Bravo, Jacinta; Lara, Oriana; More, Jamileth; Crivelli, Lucía; Calandri, Ismael Luis; Sevlever, Gustavo Emilio; Allegri, Ricardo Francisco Background: The accelerated aging process in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC) has led to an increased prevalence of non‐communicable diseases, including dementia, a leading cause of disability in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Executive and physical performance dysfunction accelerates functional decline in older adults. While physical performance measures predict cognitive decline, evidence linking gait speed and executive function remains scarce, particularly in LAC. This study examines the association between physical performance and executive function in older adults from 12 LAC countries. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted with 1,243 participants aged 60–77 from the LatAm‐FINGERS initiative. Face‐to‐face assessments gathered sociodemographic, lifestyle, and health data. Physical performance was measured using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), including balance tests, a 4‐meter gait speed test, and the five‐chair sit‐to‐stand (STS) test. The Unipedal Single‐Leg Stance (USLS) test was also included. Executive and processing speed measures included neuropsychological tests: Trail Making Test B (TMT‐B), Stroop interference index (SII), semantic fluency (animal), and phonological fluency (p and M letter), alongside Concept Shifting Test motor speed (CST‐MS) and TMT‐A. Linear regression and composite scores for executive function and speed processing were computed. Results: The median sample per country was 100 participants, with a mean age of 67.46 ± 4.67 years; 67.46% were female, 56.88% of mixed ethnicity, and 35.40% sedentary. Mean education level was 12.84 ± 3.76 years. Gait speed was directly associated with Stroop C (p <0.00001), Stroop P (p = 0.001), and semantic fluency (p = 0.02). STS was inversely associated with Stroop C (p <0.00001), and CST‐MS (p = 0.010); and also directly associated with working memory (p <0.0001). Non‐significant associations were found between gait speed and CST‐MS, STS and semantic fluency, and TMT tests. Gait speed correlated with Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores. Conclusions: Higher physical functional performance (gait speed) associated with higher cognitive level (MMSE) is correlated with better performance in executive functions (Stroop C) in older people. This study is the first effort in LAC to associate gait speed with executive tests such as Stroop C, contributing to the understanding of physical performance utility for future preventive and diagnostic dual‐task applications.

Bridging Science and Care: 14 Years of Genetic and Biomarker Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases at an Argentine Memory Clinic

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Bridging Science and Care: 14 Years of Genetic and Biomarker Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases at an Argentine Memory Clinic Surace, Ezequiel Ignacio; Romorini, Leonardo; Marazita, Mariela Claudia; Clas, Giulia Solange; Massazza, Victoria; Alvarez, María Florencia; Avendaño, Daniel; Itzcovich, Tatiana; Martinetto, Horacio Understanding the biological and genetic landscape of neurodegenerative diseases in diverse populations deepens our insight into complex pathophysiological mechanisms. Our laboratory, established 14 years ago in Buenos Aires, Argentina, serves as a regional hub for Latin America, focusing on familial and sporadic cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We were among the first in the region to incorporate cerebrospinal fluid AD biomarker analysis into clinical diagnostics. Our research includes genetic counseling, the study of novel genetic variants, and the development of patient-derived cell models using induced pluripotent stem cell technology. In this talk, we will discuss the challenges of staying at the forefront of technological advancements and underscore the importance of international collaboration in advancing both local and global knowledge.

Functional validation of the PSEN1 R358P and PSEN1 T119I variants in Alzheimer's Disease: an in vitro study

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Functional validation of the PSEN1 R358P and PSEN1 T119I variants in Alzheimer's Disease: an in vitro study García Chialva, Diego; Cifarelli, Diego; Isaja, Luciana; Apecetche, Manuela; Martínes Ojeda, Laura; Itzcovich, Tatiana; Chrem Méndez, Patricio Alexis; Sevlever, Gustavo Emilio; Scassa, Maria; Surace, Ezequiel Ignacio; Romorini, Leonardo Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder and the leading cause of dementia worldwide. It is characterized by progressive neuronal degeneration and the accumulation of beta‐amyloid plaques (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) in the brain. AD manifests in sporadic AD (sAD) and familial AD (fAD). fAD is associated with inherited genetic mutations affecting amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing, involving genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2. Method The identification of two novel PSEN1 variants, p.T119I and p.R358P in early‐onset AD patients at FLENI provided a unique opportunity to study their possible implications in fAD. Notably, the patient harboring the PSEN1 R358P variant also carried a novel SORL1 variant (Gly1536Asp). Noteworthy, genetic variants in SORL1 are now considered a major AD risk factor. To evaluate the role of these two novel PSEN1 variants in APP processing, we developed a cellular model using PSEN1 Knock‐Out (KO) HEK293T cells created through CRISPR/Cas9 technology. We assessed the Aβ 42 /Aβ 40 ratio (AD biomarker) in the supernatant of PSEN1 KO‐cells transfected with expression vectors coding for APP and either wild‐type PSEN1, the novel PSEN1 variants or PSEN1 A246E (a known pathogenic mutation). Result We observed a significant (p <0.05) increase in the Aβ 42 /Aβ 40 ratio in HEK293T cells transfected with PSEN1 A246E or PSEN1 R358P plasmids and a slight trend towards an increase in cells transfected with PSEN1 T119I vector. In the case of PSEN1 R358P‐transfected cells, the increase in the Aβ 42 /Aβ 40 ratio observed was primarily due to the decrease in Aβ 40 levels in the supernatant. Conclusion These findings suggest a potential pathogenic role for the PSEN1 R358P variant in fAD, independent of the co‐occurring SORL1 mutation.