Social epigenetics and dementia: a pioneering project that is transforming science in Latin America

On the threshold of a promising future, our university becomes the epicenter of an ambitious international project exploring the links between the social determinants of health and neurodegenerative diseases. We are honored to announce that the proposal titled "Social Epigenetics of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias in Latin American Countries" has been selected by the prestigious NIH R01 call (1R01AG082056-01A1), paving an unprecedented path for research in our region.

Social Determinants and Brain Health

This project delves into a crucial challenge for Latin America: understanding how social factors associated with poverty, inequality, discrimination, violence, and loneliness can influence the expression of genes related to mental and brain health. Social epigenetics, an emerging and innovative frontier in science, seeks to unravel the environmental effects on our DNA, and this collective effort positions us as leaders in this field of study.

The research will be led by a multidisciplinary team headed by Dr. Hernando Santamaría-Garcia, the Cognition, Neuroscience, and Context Laboratory, and the Neuroscience Doctoral Program at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. It will also be supported by experts including Dr. Michael Corley (Cornell University) and Dr. Agustín Ibáñez (Trinity College Dublin), along with a consortium of researchers from the Latin America Research Consortium on Dementia (ReDLat). With funding of $4.4 million distributed over five years, the project will span four centers in Latin America and two in the United States, strengthening a high-impact international collaboration network.

Local Impact with Global Reach

For Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, this achievement represents more than an academic milestone: it is a statement of intent to lead in training researchers and academics in neuropsychiatry, epigenetics, and brain health. This project will:

Establish a specialized research group in epigenetics and neuropsychiatry.
Fund postdoctoral positions, doctoral students, and administrative staff.
Acquire state-of-the-art research equipment.
Support the publication of scientific results, travel, and outreach activities.

With this backing, the efforts of our Cognition, Neuroscience, and Context Laboratory and the San Ignacio University Hospital will be consolidated, generating a tangible impact on our community's quality of life.

A Vision of Contextually Relevant Science

This achievement marks a milestone, as it is rare for Latin American universities to secure funding for NIH R01 projects. It is a testament to the vision and dedication of our team, which has worked for years to formulate research proposals relevant to the needs and challenges of our region.

Dr. Santamaría-García emphasizes the importance of addressing questions relevant to our context: “Science has the power to transform lives, but it must stem from local realities and challenges. This project is an invitation to build science rooted in our land, with a global vision.”

A Call for Collaboration

This effort would not be possible without the collaboration of professors, students, and researchers passionate about knowledge and committed to advancing science. From here, we extend an invitation to all those interested in exploring the interactions between genetics, epigenetics, and the social determinants of health to join this transformative journey.

Today, we celebrate this achievement as a starting point for new connections and discoveries. This project not only strengthens our academic and research capabilities but also brings with it the hope of a more equitable and healthier future for our region.