Brain clocks capture diversity and disparities in aging and dementia across geographically diverse populations.

Brain clocks, which quantify discrepancies between brain age and chronological age, hold promise for understanding brain health and disease. However, the impact of diversity (including geographical, socioeconomic, sociodemographic, sex and neurodegeneration) on the brain-age gap is unknown. We analyzed datasets from 5,306 participants across 15 countries (7 Latin American and Caribbean countries (LAC) and 8 non-LAC countries).

Brain clocks capture diversity and disparity in aging and dementia.

Brain clocks, which quantify discrepancies between brain age and chronological age, hold promise for understanding brain health and disease. However, the impact of multimodal diversity (geographical, socioeconomic, sociodemographic, sex, neurodegeneration) on the brain age gap (BAG) is unknown. Here, we analyzed datasets from 5,306 participants across 15 countries (7 Latin American countries -LAC, 8 non-LAC).

Brain health in diverse settings: How age, demographics and cognition shape brain function.

Diversity in brain health is influenced by individual differences in demographics and cognition. However, most studies on brain health and diseases have typically controlled for these factors rather than explored their potential to predict brain signals. Here, we assessed the role of individual differences in demographics (age, sex, and education; n = 1298) and cognition (n = 725) as predictors of different metrics usually used in case-control studies.

A benchmark study on current GWAS models in admixed populations.

Objective: The performances of popular genome-wide association study (GWAS) models have not been examined yet in a consistent manner under the scenario of genetic admixture, which introduces several challenging aspects: heterogeneity of minor allele frequency (MAF), wide spectrum of case-control ratio, varying effect sizes, etc.

Methods: We generated a cohort of synthetic individuals (N = 19 234) that simulates (i) a large sample size; (ii) two-way admixture (Native American and European ancestry) and (iii) a binary phenotype. We then benchmarked three popular GWAS tools [generalized linear mixed model associated test (GMMAT), scalable and accurate implementation of generalized mixed model (SAIGE) and Tractor] by computing inflation factors and power calculations under different MAFs, case-control ratios, sample sizes and varying ancestry proportions.

GAD-7 Generalised Anxiety Disorder scale in Colombian medical professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: Construct validity and reliability.

Introduction: The detection of anxiety symptoms among health workers who care for patients infected with COVID-19 is a current priority. Fast and valid instruments are required for this population group. The objective is to establish the construct validity and reliability of the Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale in Colombian doctors during the COVID-19 lockdown.

[Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Health Workers During the Second Year of the Pandemic in Latin America: Cross-Sectional Survey Study].

Introduction: The coronavirus pandemic continues to affect the mental health of healthcare personnel in Latin America (LA).

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of psychological disturbances and associated risk factors for mental health in healthcare personnel in LA during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method: This multicenter cross-sectional study included a total sample of 5437 healthcare professionals from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

A benchmark study on current GWAS models in admixed populations.

Objective: The performances of popular Genome-wide association study (GWAS) models haven't been examined yet in a consistent manner under the scenario of genetic admixture, which introduces several challenging aspects such as heterogeneity of minor allele frequency (MAF), a wide spectrum of case-control ratio, and varying effect sizes etc.

Methods: We generated a cohort of synthetic individuals (N=19,234) that simulates 1) a large sample size; 2) two-way admixture [Native American-European ancestry] and 3) a binary phenotype. We then examined the inflation factors produced by three popular GWAS tools: GMMAT, SAIGE, and Tractor.

Factors associated with cognitive impairment in Latin American older adults: A cross-sectional observational study of COVID-19 confinement.

Introduction: The effects of COVID-19 confinement have been severe, especially in older adults. Therefore, we analyzed the factors associated with cognitive impairment (CI) in Latin America (LA).

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study with a total of 5245 older adults from 10 countries in LA.

Clinical utility of Phototest via teleneuropsychology in Chilean rural older adults.

Unlabelled: The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the need for neuropsychological care for older adults with memory complaints in different contexts, including rural areas or areas with difficult access.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the clinical utility of the Phototest, through telemedicine, to identify mild cognitive impairment in rural older adults with memory complaints, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional, case-control, and clinical utility comparison of brief cognitive tests (BCTs).

The cumulative effect of fibromyalgia symptoms on cognitive performance: The mediating role of pain.

Fibromyalgia (FMS) is a chronic condition that encompasses widespread pain associated with cognitive impairment and significant emotional distress related to functional disability. This study aimed to obtain evidence of the role of pain in the effect of time since FMS diagnosis and cognitive performance using a novel online protocol of neuropsychological evaluation since the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged traditional neuropsychology testing leading to the need for novel procedures transitioning to tele-neuropsychology. A sample of 70 adult women was evaluated (50 with FMS and 19 controls) using online questionnaires that evaluated pain and executive functioning (impulsivity, inhibition control, monitoring, and planning).

[Prevalence and factors associated with subjective cognitive complaints in Latin American health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic].

An increase in emotional disturbances and complaints about cognitive performance has been observed in Latin American healthcare workers during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, which can affect attention capacity and increase the levels of stress and burnout of these professionals. The objective was to analyse subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) and associated factors in health personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic in five Latin American countries. Multicentre cross-sectional study, which included 3,738 professionals from Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru.

Impact of quarantine due to COVID-19 pandemic on health and lifestyle conditions in older adults from Centro American countries.

Background: The impact of quarantine in older adults have been reported in several studies with contradictory results, reporting from negative effects to no significant outcomes or even beneficial consequences. Heterogeneity in aging plays a role in each region, the aim of this study is to analyze the impact of quarantine on health conditions (physical and mental) and lifestyle in older adults in five Centro American countries during COVID-19 pandemic.

Method: In this cross-sectional study, n = 712 older adults 60 years and older from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Costa Rica were assessed by telephone.

Prevalence of Dementia and Associated Factors among Older Adults in Latin America during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a great impact on cognitive health in Latin American older adults, increasing the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. Our objective was to analyze the prevalence of dementia and the associated factors in Latin American older adults during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Methods: A multicentric first phase cross-sectional observational study was conducted during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Literacy Level and Executive Control in Healthy Older Peruvian Adults.

Early-life educational experiences are associated with cognitive performance in aging. Early literacy seems to improve executive control mechanisms, however, it is not clear whether early education would still be an advantage in countries like Peru, where access to and quality of education is highly variable. Our objective was to analyze the association of literacy level with executive control factors.

Neuropsychological profile in the preclinical stages of dementia: principal component analysis approach.

Unlabelled: The preclinical stages of dementia include subtle neurocognitive changes that are not easily detected in standard clinical evaluations. Neuropsychological evaluation is important for the classification and prediction of deterioration in all the phases of dementia.

Objective: Compare the neuropsychological performance in healthy older adults with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) using principal components analysis.

[GAD-7 Generalised Anxiety Disorder scale in Colombian medical professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: construct validity and reliability].

The detection of anxiety symptoms among health workers who care for patients infected with COVID-19 is a current priority. Fast and valid instruments are required for this population group. The objective is to establish the construct validity and reliability of the Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale in Colombian doctors during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Cognitive changes in patients with epilepsy identified through the MoCA test during neurology outpatient consultation.

Introduction: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that may occur alongside cognitive changes, with effects on multiple cognitive domains.

Objective: To compare the cognitive performance of patients with epilepsy and healthy controls through Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) during outpatient consultation at a reference diagnostic center in Colombia and analyze and the influencing factors.

Materials And Methodology: One-hundred and four patients during neurology outpatient consultation in the city of Cartagena, Colombia, were assessed with the (MoCA) test, i.

The impact of COVID-19 on the well-being and cognition of older adults living in the United States and Latin America.

Background: In the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults from vulnerable ethnoracial groups are at high risk of infection, hospitalization, and death. We aimed to explore the pandemic's impact on the well-being and cognition of older adults living in the United States (US), Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and Peru.

Methods: 1,608 (646 White, 852 Latino, 77 Black, 33 Asian; 72% female) individuals from the US and four Latin American countries aged ≥ 55 years completed an online survey regarding well-being and cognition during the pandemic between May and September 2020.

Multivariate Base Rates of Low Scores on Tests of Learning and Memory among Spanish-Speaking Children.

To determine the prevalence of low scores on two neuropsychological tests commonly used to evaluate learning and memory in children. 6,030 healthy children from 10 countries in Latin America and Spain were administered Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) and the Test de Aprendizaje y Memoria Verbal-Infantil (TAMV-I). Results showed that low scores are common when multiple neuropsychological outcomes (tests and/or scores) are evaluated in healthy individuals.