The protocols for the 10/66 dementia research group population-based research programme

BACKGROUND: Latin America, China and India are experiencing unprecedentedly rapid demographic ageing with an increasing number of people with dementia. The 10/66 Dementia Research Group's title refers to the 66% of people with dementia that live in developing countries and the less than one tenth of population-based research carried out in those settings. This paper describes the protocols for the 10/66 population-based and intervention studies that aim to redress this imbalance. METHODS/DESIGN: Cross-sectional comprehensive one phase surveys have been conducted of all residents aged 65 and over of geographically defined catchment areas in ten low and middle income countries (India, China, Nigeria, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, Peru and Argentina), with a sample size of between 1000 and 3000 (generally 2000). Each of the studies uses the same core minimum data set with cross-culturally validated assessments (dementia diagnosis and subtypes, mental disorders, physical health, anthropometry, demographics, extensive non communicable disease risk factor questionnaires, disability/functioning, health service utilisation, care arrangements and caregiver strain). Nested within the population based studies is a randomised controlled trial of a caregiver intervention for people with dementia and their families (ISRCTN41039907; ISRCTN41062011; ISRCTN95135433; ISRCTN66355402; ISRCTN93378627; ISRCTN94921815). A follow up of 2.5 to 3.5 years will be conducted in 7 countries (China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Mexico, Peru and Argentina) to assess risk factors for incident dementia, stroke and all cause and cause-specific mortality; verbal autopsy will be used to identify causes of death. DISCUSSION: The 10/66 DRG baseline population-based studies are nearly complete. The incidence phase will be completed in 2009. All investigators are committed to establish an anonymised file sharing archive with monitored public access. Our aim is to create an evidence base to empower advocacy, raise awareness about dementia, and ensure that the health and social care needs of older people are anticipated and met

Dementia resources in Argentina: policy, services, and statistics overview-up to date

Argentina, the second largest country in South America, has traditionally been involved in caring for elderly. In 1971 the National Government created the Institute for the Elderly to take care of the social and medical needs of retired people with the program PAMI. This review has updated the local resources of dementia and the challenges that these face with regard to the issues associated with cognitive impairment in elderly people. Health care is shared between the public and private sectors. The distribution of resources and specialists (neurologists, psychiatrist, and geriatricians) is unequal most located in large cities. Facilities for accurate diagnosis are scarce; most of the memory clinics are in big cities like Buenos Aires, Rosario, and Cordoba. Early diagnosis is another challenge with the incorporation of the biomarkers of Alzheimer’s diseases (MRI scan, FDG-PET, amyloid-PET, and Aβ42, tau, and f-tau in cerebrospinal fluid). However the availability is limited to one center in Buenos Aires (FLENI Neurological Institute). ALMA (Association against Alzheimer’s Disease), a member of Alzheimer Disease International, is the local voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care and family support. In 2011, the Argentine Neurological Society launched the first dementia guideline for diagnosis and treatment. Although we have a long road ahead, the first steps taken by the organization of a dementia national plan constitute a hopeful challenge.Fil: Bagnati, Pablo Miguel. Fundación para la Lucha Contra las Enfermedades Neurológicas de la Infancia. Instituto de Investigaciones Neurológicas "Raúl Carrea"; ArgentinaFil: Román, Fabián. Gobierno de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud; ArgentinaFil: Bonafina, Marcela. Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychology; Estados UnidosFil: Blake, Andrew. Gobierno de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud; ArgentinaFil: Allegri, Ricardo Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Fundación para la Lucha Contra las Enfermedades Neurológicas de la Infancia. Instituto de Investigaciones Neurológicas "Raúl Carrea"; Argentin

Advances in understanding the fundamental aspects required for successful cryopreservation of Australian flora

Australia is host to an amazing diversity of species, many of which require conservation efforts. In vitro culture provides a tool for not only conserving these threatened species but allows for their propagation from limited starting material. Cryopreservation provides the greatest long-term storage option for in vitro cultures and as a conservation tool for other germplasm. However, while cryopreservation has proven capable of delivering viable long-term storage with some plant taxa, the process of deriving protocols is still largely an incremental process. The key to faster and more intuitive optimising of cryopreservation protocols lies with continuing to develop a better understanding of key factors, including issues with plant physiology (such as genetic stability, the composition of the proteome and metabolome, cell membrane characteristics, and antioxidant defences) and how the stresses imposed by cryopreservation (such as the excision damage, desiccation, cryoprotective agent toxicity, ice crystal damage, and cooling to cryogenic temperatures) interact and contribute to the cryocapability of a species. This review focuses on the advances that have been made towards understanding cryogenic stress and how this has led to improved cryopreservation protocols, in the context of cryopreserving Australian flora