Alzheimer Disease International's 10/66 Dementia Research Group - one model for action research in developing countries.
BACKGROUND
The 10/66 Dementia Research Group (10/66) founded in 1998, is a network of over 100 researchers from mainly developing countries. 10/66 is committed to encourage more good quality research in those regions, where an estimated two-thirds of all those with dementia live. It represents a collaboration of academics, clinicians, and an international non-governmental organization, Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI).


METHODS
10/66 pilot studies in 26 centres in Latin America, India, Africa and China and SE Asia suggest that education and culture-fair diagnosis is an attainable aim. Despite extended family care networks, these studies also identified high levels of practical, psychological and economic strain upon caregivers. Population-based studies in six centres will now estimate prevalence, describe impact and seek to identify genetic and environmental risk factors in novel settings. At a practical level, 10/66 has studied ways to circumvent the lack of help-seeking in developing countries, and has developed a low-level intervention to educate and train caregivers.


CONCLUSIONS
The links with ADI and its international networks, and the volunteerism of ADIs members have fostered the rapid growth of 10/66. The partnership facilitates both the raising of awareness and influence upon policy, as 10/66 research evidence can be used by ADI and national Alzheimer's Associations to direct and support advocacy.
Prince
Martin
M
Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London, UK. m.prince@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Graham
Nori
N
Brodaty
Henry
H
Rimmer
Elizabeth
E
Varghese
Mathew
M
Chiu
Helen
H
Acosta
Daisy
D
Scazufca
Marcia
M
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000193:education; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education; D003906:Developing Countries; D005381:Financing, Organized / Q000379:methods; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods; D007391:International Cooperation; D010506:Periodicals as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012307:Risk Factors