A pioneering study published today in Nature Aging reveals large heterogeneity in risk factors influencing healthy ageing in Latin America and highlights the limitations of current brain health models that are based mainly on data from high-income countries. The study was conducted by researchers from Trinity College Dublin (Ireland) and colleagues from Adolfo Ibáñez University (Chile) and Pontificia Javeriana University (Colombia), among others.
The study developed a meta-analysis approach across 146,000 participants, and its findings highlight that current models of brain health may not apply to the diverse population of Latin America.
Towards a tailored, personalized model for healthy aging and brain health
Latin America faces unique challenges in promoting healthy brain aging, including genetic admixture (shaping genetic variation and disease risk), adverse childhood experiences, socioeconomic inequalities, and health disparities. Both physical and social exposures have significant effects on brain health, differing from patterns observed in high-income countries.
The study was a comprehensive meta-analysis of multiple studies, ultimately including more than 146,000 participants. Results highlighted significant but heterogeneous effects on cognitive and functional abilities, with varying influences from demographics, mental health, health status, and social determinants.
The study revealed a large variation in the impact of risk factors on cognitive and functional abilities across the Latin American population. This variation highlights the inadequacy of one-size-fits-all models developed in high-income countries. High heterogeneity, outliers, country variability and lack of robust computational methods affect the reliability of existing data.
Towards better science on healthy aging and brain health
“This study supports the emerging idea that global models of brain health, based primarily on data from high-income countries, are not universally applicable. Our study shows that there is wide variation in risk factors affecting cognitive and functional abilities across the Latin American population, highlighting the inadequacy of current models based on data from high-income countries.”
Augustin Ibanez, lead author of the study, Atlantic Fellow at the Global Brain Health Institute at Trinity College Dublin and director of BrainLat UAI
Comprehensive and harmonized data collection efforts are urgently needed to capture the diverse factors influencing healthy ageing in Latin America.
“This is a new study that has shown that the brain can adapt to changes in the way we think about our bodies,” said co-author Carlos Coronel, Atlantic Fellow at the Global Brain Health Institute at Trinity College Dublin.
“It is essential to develop predictive models tailored to the region's unique demographic, genetic and socioeconomic circumstances. To bridge this gap, we need advanced computational methods that integrate theories of brain function and its interactions with the exposome.”
The study recommends implementing robust methodological approaches, promoting data-driven and machine learning techniques, and focusing on the social determinants of health and other socio-economic disparities.
Commenting on these social factors, co-author Joaquin Millot, a postdoctoral researcher at BrainLat, said:
“Addressing the combined effects of different exposures across the lifespan requires high-dimensional variables. The use of machine learning techniques is essential to manage this complexity and draw meaningful conclusions. This will allow for a more comprehensive and precise understanding of how multiple exposures affect brain health. These efforts will inform customized policies and medical interventions that improve brain health and aging outcomes in Latin America.”
“This is a new finding,” said co-author Sandra Baez, professor at the University of Los Andes in Colombia and Atlantic Fellow at the Global Brain Health Institute at Trinity College Dublin.
“This study is an important step towards understanding the unique factors that influence aging and brain health in Latin America. Our findings advocate for a more nuanced, region-specific approach to developing brain health models tailored to diverse and underrepresented populations.”
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Journal References:
Ibanez, A., et al. (2024). A meta-analysis and scoping review of risk factors for healthy aging in Latin America reveals large heterogeneity and weak predictive models. Nature Aging. doi.org/10.1038/s43587-024-00648-6.
