Why India?

India’s population reached 1.36 billion in 2019. The proportion of older adults in India is projected to reach 20% of the total population by 2050. Dementia is a progressive disorder of the brain that results in a loss of the structure and function of the brain cells (neurons), manifesting as problems with memory, language abilities, loss of problem-solving skills and social capabilities, and other thinking abilities. All older adults undergo changes in their brains which may contribute to slowness in their thinking and information processing. This common knowledge has also led to the misconception that problems with memory or other thinking abilities are inevitable in old age and has contributed to delays in identifying dementia at the right time. However, advancements in diagnosis and comprehensive public health strategies have improved health care for persons with dementia. The dementia prevalence estimates in INDIA for adults age 60 and above 7.4%; the map on the left shows uneven distribution across different states (Lee J et., al 2023; Alzheimers Dementia; 19(7):2898-2912).Thanks to the meticulous research efforts, our knowledge of the disease development process of dementia has widened and new treatment strategies are emerging. But a knowledge gap still exists on the factors contributing to brain aging in the Indian population..

   Our Aim

Our objective is to evaluate the influence of various biomarkers on brain aging. Biomarkers are measurable indicators of the disease process. A simple example of a biomarker is blood glucose level commonly used to diagnose and monitor the effectiveness of treatment in diabetes. Biomarkers are vital in dementia research. They aid in detecting early brain changes, understanding the role of various risk factors of the disease, and monitoring treatment response. In this innovative research study, we will first evaluate our research participants [Healthy elders, persons with Alzheimer’s dementia, and persons with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI—a stage between normal cognitive functioning and dementia), who volunteer to participate in the research] for various psychosocial and lifestyle factors, for e.g., educational attainment, dietary habits, physical activity, family support, etc., Then we will evaluate them using a comprehensive series of tests to detect their functioning in memory and other thinking abilities.