Southeast Asia Launches Landmark Dementia consortium, SEACURE+

Singapore – Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) is spearheading the launch of Southeast Asia’s first consortium dedicated to tackling dementia, the Southeast Asian Consortium on Neurocognition, Neuroimaging and Biomarker Research Plus (SEACURE+). The initiative unites 24 clinicians from across the region and beyond, aiming to deepen understanding of dementia’s unique impact on the Southeast Asian population.

SEACURE+ will pool data representing over 700 million people, focusing on the specific traits of the Southeast Asian brain and developing a harmonized approach to prevention and management. Originally comprising Singapore, malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia, the consortium has now expanded to include Brunei and Myanmar. China and India join as honorary members, enabling comparative studies to assess the influence of environment, culture, and epigenetics on dementia development.

“Leading SEACURE+ is an extension of LKCMedicine’s efforts to consistently seek innovative ways to transform detection and treatment of diseases,such as dementia,among our Asian population,and improve their wellbeing,” stated Professor Joseph Sung,NTU Senior Vice President (Health & Life Sciences) and Dean,Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (lkcmedicine). “This consortium will be able to translate the clinical and academic expertise of our regional partners to in-depth understanding of how dementia affects people in this part of the world as well as development of more personalised and scalable solutions.”

Rising Mild Cognitive Impairment Cases Signal Urgent Need for Early Intervention

Initial data sharing within SEACURE+ reveals a concerning trend: a growing number of patients presenting with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) – often referred to as pre-dementia – at memory clinics. This represents a critical possibility for early intervention to slow disease progression.

The consortium is advocating for stronger regional collaboration to improve early detection and management of MCI, including validating cognitive tests, developing digital diagnostic tools, adopting blood-based biomarker testing, and integrating cognitive screening into national health programs for older adults.

“The trend that the SEACURE+ members are observing at their respective clinics point to more people being diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI),” explained Assoc Prof Nagaendran Kandiah, Director of the Dementia Research Center (Singapore) (DRCS) and chair of SEACURE+. “Sence the signs and symptoms of early stages of MCI are usually not obvious to patients or caregivers, it is likely there are more patients who are not getting the diagnosis and management they need to lower the risk of dementia.”

SEACURE+ will leverage the DRCS’s expertise in pharmacological and lifestyle interventions, including ongoing clinical trials with novel agents, and will roll out diagnostic digital cognitive evaluations across member countries. The initiative underscores the importance of understanding shared cultural and lifestyle risk factors within Southeast Asia to revolutionize dementia care and enhance public awareness.

What specific lifestyle factors are contributing to the rising prevalence of dementia in Southeast Asia?

Unlocking Southeast Asia’s Battle against Dementia: Launch of the Region’s First Consortium for Collaborative Solutions and Research Initiatives

The Growing Dementia Challenge in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is facing a rapidly escalating dementia crisis. Driven by an aging population and changing lifestyle factors, the prevalence of dementia – encompassing conditions like alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and frontotemporal dementia – is projected to increase dramatically in the coming decades. This presents critically important challenges for healthcare systems, families, and economies across the region. Current estimates suggest millions are already living wiht dementia in Southeast Asia, with numbers expected to triple by 2050. This surge necessitates a coordinated, regional response.

Introducing the SEA-Dementia Consortium: A Collaborative Approach

today marks a pivotal moment in the fight against dementia in Southeast Asia with the official launch of the region’s first collaborative consortium dedicated to dementia research and solutions. this initiative, spearheaded by leading universities and healthcare institutions across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, aims to pool resources, expertise, and data to accelerate progress in dementia care, diagnosis, and prevention.

The consortium’s core objectives include:

* Harmonizing dementia Research: Establishing standardized protocols for dementia studies across member countries to ensure data comparability and facilitate meta-analyses.

* Boosting Early Detection: Implementing and evaluating innovative dementia screening programs, particularly in primary care settings, to improve early diagnosis rates.

* developing Culturally Sensitive Care Models: Creating dementia care pathways tailored to the unique cultural contexts and healthcare infrastructure of each Southeast Asian nation.

* Training the Next Generation: Providing specialized training for healthcare professionals, caregivers, and researchers in dementia management.

* Advocating for Policy Change: Working with governments to raise awareness about dementia and advocate for policies that support people living with the condition and their families.

Key Research Focus Areas

The SEA-Dementia Consortium will prioritize research in several critical areas:

* Genetic Predisposition: Investigating the genetic factors that contribute to dementia risk in Southeast Asian populations. Preliminary studies suggest potential genetic variations unique to the region.

* Lifestyle and Environmental Factors: Examining the impact of diet,physical activity,air pollution,and other environmental factors on dementia development. The rising rates of diabetes and cardiovascular disease in Southeast Asia are key areas of concern.

* Biomarker Revelation: Identifying novel biomarkers for early dementia diagnosis using advanced imaging techniques and blood-based assays.

* Innovative Therapies: Evaluating the efficacy of existing and emerging dementia treatments, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.

* Caregiver Support: Developing and testing interventions to support dementia caregivers, addressing their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

The Role of the WHO Global Action Plan

This consortium’s launch aligns directly with the goals outlined in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global action plan on the public health response to dementia 2017-2025.The plan emphasizes the importance of strengthening dementia surveillance, improving access to dementia diagnosis and care, and promoting dementia research. The SEA-Dementia Consortium will serve as a regional hub for implementing these recommendations. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/global-action-plan-on-the-public-health-response-to-dementia-2017—2025

Benefits of a Regional Consortium

A collaborative, regional approach offers several key advantages:

* Increased Statistical Power: Pooling data from multiple countries increases the statistical power of research studies, leading to more reliable and generalizable findings.

* Reduced Duplication of Effort: Collaboration avoids unnecessary duplication of research efforts, maximizing the efficient use of limited resources.

* Knowledge Sharing: The consortium facilitates the sharing of best practices and expertise among member institutions.

* Enhanced Advocacy: A unified voice strengthens advocacy efforts to raise awareness and secure funding for dementia research and care.

* Faster Translation of Research into Practice: Collaborative efforts accelerate the translation of research findings into practical interventions and policies.

Practical Tips for Individuals and families

While the consortium focuses on large-scale research and policy changes, individuals and families can take proactive steps to reduce their dementia risk and improve the quality of life for those living with the condition:

1. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Engage in regular physical activity, eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
2. Stay Mentally Active: Challenge your brain with puzzles, games, and lifelong learning opportunities.
3. Manage Cardiovascular Risk Factors: