Mrs Maria, 68 years old, arrived for her appointment worried. She had forgotten the name of a neighbour she had known for twenty years and, on the same day, left the cooker on after making coffee. "Doctor, could this be the start of dementia?"

"The data and clinical case cited in this article are fictional and are intended purely for illustrative purposes, serving to facilitate understanding of the subject matter addressed."

Occasional lapses in memory are part of normal ageing and do not, by themselves, mean that a person will develop dementia. But there is a question that science has been trying to answer for years: is there something we can do in our daily lives to protect the brain and reduce the risk of cognitive decline? A very recent study, conducted in Latin America, has brought an encouraging answer.

What was discovered

In July 2026, the LatAm-FINGERS was released, the largest study ever conducted in Latin America on the prevention of cognitive decline in older adults. It was published in one of the world's most respected medical journals, The Lancet, and presented at a major international Alzheimer's conference in London.

The research lasted two years and involved 1,065 people, aged between 60 and 77 years, in eleven Latin American countries, including Brazil. All participants had some increased risk of developing memory and thinking problems in the future.

The main result was this: those who followed a structured programme, with close monitoring by healthcare professionals, showed 55% greater improvement in cognition than those who received only general health guidance on their own. In other words, it is not enough to know what to do; monitoring and support along the way make a real difference.

Why this study is important

Until now, most research on dementia prevention came from countries such as the United States, Finland and other European nations. The problem is that eating habits, culture, access to healthcare and daily life routines in Latin America are different. The LatAm-FINGERS showed that the same principles work here too, when adapted to our reality.

The researchers themselves are keen to make clear: this does not mean that dementia can be completely avoided, nor that there is an individual guarantee of protection. What the study shows is that acting on certain habits, in a combined and consistent manner, brings real and measurable benefits to the brain.

The five pillars that made a difference

The programme worked on five areas simultaneously, not one at a time. According to the researchers, it is precisely this combination that maximises the results.

1. Regular physical activity

Moving the body frequently helps keep blood circulating better through the brain and promotes the formation of new connections between neurones. It does not need to be intense exercise; what matters is regularity.

2. Healthy eating

A balanced diet, with fewer ultra-processed foods and more natural foods, protects blood vessels and reduces inflammation in the body, two factors directly linked to brain health.

3. Control of cardiovascular risk factors

High blood pressure, diabetes and uncontrolled cholesterol increase the risk of cognitive problems. Keeping these numbers under control, with medical monitoring, is one of the most effective ways to protect memory in the long term.

4. Cognitive training

Exercising the mind with activities that challenge reasoning, such as games, reading or learning new things, helps keep the brain active and more resistant to the natural wear and tear of time.

5. Active social life

Maintaining frequent contact with other people, participating in groups and having regular conversations also featured as one of the pillars of the study. Social isolation is a known risk factor for cognitive decline.

What this means in practice

The main message of LatAm-FINGERS is that looking after the brain does not depend on an expensive medicine or sophisticated technology. It depends, mainly, on habits sustained over time and, preferably, with some kind of support or monitoring, whether from a healthcare professional, a group or even family members.

If you are over 60 years old, or have someone in your family at this stage of life, it is worth looking at these five points and thinking about small possible changes. The study shows that you do not need to change everything at once; what matters is consistency.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace a medical consultation. If you have concerns about memory, attention or other cognitive aspects, consult a doctor.

Dr Rebeca Soares Andrade CRM - GO 39335