Argentina

There is no nationally organised, widespread screening programme for dementia in the country, which means the diagnostic journey relies on individuals and families recognising early signs. Two of the most common screening tools used in clinical settings, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), are both validated and used in Argentina. However, the unequal distribution of specialists and diagnostic centres across the country means that access to a healthcare professional proficient in administering and interpreting such specialised tests is not uniform.

Argentina has made significant strides in integrating advanced neuroimaging techniques into Alzheimer’s disease research and clinical practice, with the establishment of Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Standard structural Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans are mainly available in urban areas and in the private sector. Advanced functional scans like PET have a restricted availability and accessibility. The availability of FDG-PET and amyloid-PET is mostly limited to one centre in Buenos Aires at the Institute for Neurological Research Dr. Raul Carrea (FLENI).

Genetic testing for the prediction of Alzheimer’s disease in Argentina is available through foreign-based commercial companies. Despite the limited availability, Argentina is a significant contributor to the global genetic research, which may enable access to at-risk individuals.

Analysis of biomarkers through CSF is not widely available across the country, but it is possible at the FLENI Neurological Institute. Blood biomarkers are currently discussed in the context of international research and are not yet part of routine clinical practice in Argentina

Specialised memory clinics and advanced diagnostic centres are almost exclusively located in Buenos Aires and Rosario cities. Premier institutions like INECO and Favaloro foundations and FLENI, along with major private hospitals such as Hospital Italiano, offer comprehensive neurological and neuropsychological evaluations but are concentrated in these urban hubs. While a limited number of dementia specialists practice in some provincial capitals like Córdoba or San Miguel de Tucumán, they are scarce. This centralisation forces families from the country’s other areas to undertake costly and lengthy travel to access an accurate diagnosis, creating significant geographic and socioeconomic barriers to diagnosis, treatment and care.

Day centres are also geographically concentrated, with a mix of public and private facilities available primarily in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area. The city of Buenos Aires operates a network of free public centres, including one for cognitive decline, and the public insurer The Comprehensive Medical Attention programme (Programa de Atención Médica Integral, PAMI) provides coverage for specialised day centres for its affiliates. Community support through non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is widespread. A.L.M.A. has an extensive national network of affiliated groups in numerous provinces, offering essential services like caregiver support groups, counseling, and workshops. These volunteer-led organisations are the most accessible resources for families outside the capital.

Palliative care for dementia in Argentina is an emerging field, with services not yet widely or systematically available. The national palliative care programme is primarily cancer-focused, operated by the Instituto Nacional del Cáncer. Although a national law on palliative care has been passed, its implementation for non-cancer conditions like advanced Alzheimer’s disease or dementia is still in its initial stages. There are no dedicated hospices specialising in dementia care. Consequently, end-of-life care is typically managed within general hospital palliative units or by home-based teams, where they exist, leaving a significant gap in specialised support for people living with Alzheimer’s disease in the final stages of the disease.

In Argentina, both government and private insurance are legally required to cover medicine and therapy costs for Alzheimer’s disease. More precisely, following a diagnosis, patients can apply for the Single Disability Certificate (CUD), a legal document that compels their insurer to provide 100% coverage for all related treatments and services. This coverage includes medications, rehabilitation, and support services such as home assistance or residential care.

Without the CUD, patients rely on the standard coverage provided by their insurer, which typically involves copayments and limitations.

Specific provincial programs offer some of the most direct support. The province of Mendoza’s Mayor Respiro programme is designed specifically to prevent caregiver burnout by providing free, group-based sessions that offer a space for reflection, emotional containment, and strategies to manage stress. Similarly, Tucuman’s integrated provincial health plan provides caregivers with training, workshops, and dedicated family support groups within specialised public health units known as Alzheimer Nodes.

For retirees and pensioners affiliated with PAMI (the national health insurance plan for this demographic), an additional form of financial support is available: the Subsidy for a Home Auxiliary. This benefit is explicitly defined as “partial economic support” to help PAMI affiliates who have functional dependencies and lack an adequate support network to cope with their situation. It is important to understand that this is not a salary paid to a family caregiver. Instead, it is a subsidy intended to help the family hire an external caregiver or cover other costs associated with home care.

Psycho-social support for caregivers is primarily provided by NGOs. The leading entity, A.L.M.A., offers a nationwide network of services including support groups, personalised counseling via phone and email, and educational workshops, though it does not provide direct financial aid. Other organisations like Alzheimer Argentina also offer supervised support groups and psychotherapy for the family unit, focusing on emotional and practical guidance.

The National Plan for Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders was officially approved in February 2026. The strategic framework operates under the National Directorate of Integral Mental Health Approach and is designed to tackle the growing impact of neurodegenerative diseases, which are identified as a public health priority due to their progressive nature and significant effect on social and occupational functioning.

The strategy is organised into six core axes:
1. Promotion and Prevention: Launching public awareness campaigns to educate the community and reduce the stigma surrounding dementia.
2. Human Resources Training: Providing healthcare workers with targeted guidelines to ensure early detection and proper intervention.
3. Comprehensive Care: Delivering dedicated psychological support and care resources for both patients and their informal caregivers.
4. Research and Information: Promoting ongoing clinical and social research to keep information systems updated.
5. Intersectoral Coordination: Fostering collaborative efforts across different ministries and health sectors.
6. Epidemiology: Creating a formal diagnosis of the disease’s current epidemiological situation in the country.

Previously, several Argentine provinces have taken the initiative to enact their own legislation to address dementia. Provinces such as Tucumán (Law 9014), Catamarca (Law 5895), Chaco (Law 7556), Santa Fe (Law 14111), and Entre Rios have established sub-national programs or frameworks.

The most recent is the Provincial programme for the Comprehensive Management of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias enacted by the Tucuman Government. The programme’s main goal is to improve the quality of life for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, as well as their families. The key objectives of the programme are:

1. Early Detection and Diagnosis: To implement effective strategies for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and to create specialised clinics across the province to provide medical, psychological, and social support.
2. Accessible Care: To provide ongoing training for health personnel on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and to develop public information and awareness campaigns about the disease and brain health.
3. Research and Data Collection: To establish a reliable system for statistics and registration of new Alzheimer’s disease diagnoses and to strengthen research to find new ways to prevent, treat, and cure the disease.
4. Support for Families and Caregivers: To offer resources and support to families, including training for home caregivers.
5. Creating an Inclusive Environment: To promote a friendly and inclusive environment by adapting communities and public spaces for people living with dementia.
6. Improved Access to Services: To coordinate with the Provincial Disability Board to ensure access to the Single Disability Certificate (CUD) and to improve access to treatment and medication.
7. Telemedicine: To coordinate a telemedicine system for people living with dementia, including teleconsultation and tele-education.
8. Higher Education: To encourage universities and other higher education institutions to include the topic of dementia in the curriculum for health professionals.

There are advocacy and political efforts for a comprehensive national dementia strategy in Argentina. In May 2024, a symposium was held in Buenos Aires, bringing together political figures, international experts, and civil society leaders. This event reaffirmed the commitment to treating dementia as a national public health priority.

FLENI Neurological Institute is a central hub for Alzheimer’s disease research, hosting the Argentina-Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) to validate biomarkers and participating in international clinical trials like the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network (DIAN). Its Laboratory of Applied Neuroscience Research also uses pluripotent stem cells to model and study neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. FLENI also leads the LatAm-FINGERS study, which adapts the Finnish FINGER model to test whether multidomain lifestyle interventions—combining diet, exercise, and cognitive training—can prevent cognitive decline in older adults across Latin America.

Researchers from the University of Buenos Aires have been involved in the first Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) for Alzheimer’s in South American populations, identifying genetic risk factors shared with Europeans. They also conduct foundational research on the molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease.

A research team at National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CONICET) has for the first time used advanced super-resolution microscopy combined with artificial intelligence to visualise, in a living cell, how the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (a membrane neuro-receptor implicated in neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Myasthenia gravis) moves and interacts with the lipid cholesterol.