48 Years of Research on Health and Lifestyle Risk Factors Associated with Dementia in Latin America: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression

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Published Mar 19, 2026
DOI https://doi.org/10.17981/JACN.7.1.2026.7025

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Eduardo Reynoso-Arellano
Universidad Iberoamericana
Vinicius Maia-Azevedo
Universidade Una Contagem
Nicolas Silva-Magalhães
Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco
Hugo Marte-Santana
Universidad Iberoamericana

Abstract

Introduction: Latin America is one of the regions with the highest prevalence of dementia worldwide. Despite this epidemiological situation, there is almost no evaluation of the evidence on health and lifestyle risk factors for the development of dementia in the region. Our objective was to review the evidence on these risk factors. Methods: A literature search was conducted between 1977 and 2025 following PRISMA guidelines. We conducted a random-effects meta-analysis and meta-regression, and the methodological quality of the studies was assessed using RoBINS-I. Results: The meta-analysis revealed a statistically significant association between the evaluated risk factors and the development of dementia. However, in the quality assessment of the evidence, we observed "serious" and "critical" risks of bias. The meta-regression analysis identified depression as the only significant moderator. Conclusion: Although an association between risk factors and dementia was identified, the low methodological quality of the studies limits these findings.

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How to Cite
Reynoso-Arellano, E., Maia-Azevedo, V., Silva-Magalhães, N., & Marte-Santana, H. (2026). 48 Years of Research on Health and Lifestyle Risk Factors Associated with Dementia in Latin America: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression . Journal of Applied Cognitive Neuroscience, 7(1), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.17981/JACN.7.1.2026.7025
Issue
Vol. 7 No. 1 (2026): January - June
Section
Review
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