Peru

Peru uses a culturally adapted MMSE and the Spanish version of the MoCA, validated for older adults in Lima. Complementary tests, including the Clock Drawing Test, are also employed for cognitive evaluation.

CT and MRI are technically available in Peru’s public health system, yet access is limited by scarce equipment, centralization in Lima, and frequent breakdowns, while PET scans are mostly offered in private clinics.

In Peru, Alzheimer’s genetic testing is offered privately or through research, not routinely in public healthcare.

There is no evidence that the specific CSF biomarker tests are in routine clinical use in Peru, but they are used in research settings. Advanced blood tests are not yet clinically available in Peru.

Specialised memory clinics and diagnostic centers for Alzheimer’s disease are almost exclusively located in Lima. Similarly, the highest concentration of neurologists and geriatricians specialising in dementia is in affluent Lima districts such as San Borja, Miraflores, and Surco.

In Lima, private centers offer specialised day programs with personalised cognitive training for individuals with a dementia diagnosis. Across the rest of the country, the primary resource is the public EsSalud network of Centros del Adulto Mayor, which are present in nearly every region. These provide widely accessible memory workshops aimed at prevention and reinforcing cognitive abilities in the elderly, serving as a crucial, though non-specialised, form of early-stage support. Additionally, the government is establishing Community Mental Health Centers nationwide to offer local detection and treatment services.

There is a shortage of specialised palliative services for neurological conditions, as the existing infrastructure is overwhelmingly focused on oncology.There is no established network of hospices or residential facilities specialising in palliative dementia care, leaving a significant gap in end-of-life support for people living with dementia and their families nationwide.

Officially, SIS provides free coverage for Alzheimer’s disease treatment. Rehabilitation services are generally covered, but policies may exclude therapies that are not considered to directly contribute to a person’s recovery, which can be subject to interpretation. Long-term personal care at home or in a residential facility is not covered by standard private health insurance plans.

There is no direct state financial assistance designated for care partners. The primary support is the “Contigo” program, which provides a bimonthly pension of S/ 300 directly to the person, not the carer. This aid is strictly limited to patients who have a certified severe disability and are classified as living in poverty. While this money can be used to pay for care, it is an indirect form of support.

National Plan for the Prevention and Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias 2026–2028 was enacted in late 2025 to address the growing public health challenge of cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases. Its primary goal is to improve access to prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment for individuals aged 60 and older, while also providing essential support and training for their families and carers. The plan was developed in response to a significant 95% gap in specialised care and an ageing population, specifically targeting the 399,604 Peruvians estimated to be living with dementia as of 2024. Implementation is mandatory across all Ministry of Health and Regional Government health facilities.

To achieve these goals, the plan outlines three specific objectives: strengthening health services through the approval of new normative documents and the training of 5,400 health professionals; sensitizing the community to reduce social stigma and discrimination; and promoting scientific research on the effectiveness of interventions with an intercultural focus. Key activities include the monthly updating of a National Alzheimer’s Observatory, the execution of community awareness campaigns—particularly around World Alzheimer’s Day— and the creation of specialised home care programs in prioritised regions. The total estimated budget for this three-year initiative is S/ 5,693,045.

Peru has also enacted a Law on the Protection and Comprehensive Care for People with Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, known as Ley N° 30795. This law establishes a legal framework to ensure the rights and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. It focuses on early diagnosis, medical treatment, and the creation of specialised care facilities. Additionally, the law emphasizes public awareness campaigns, training for healthcare professionals, and support services for families. Its goal is to improve the quality of life for patients and their carers, ensuring that they have access to necessary resources and support throughout the course of the disease.

No upcoming strategies are announced at the moment in Peru.

One study, which involved researchers from institutions based in Lima, investigated how genetic ancestry influences oligodendroglial cell function in Alzheimer’s disease using iPSC-derived brain cells from individuals of African, Amerindian, and European descent. The genetic samples for this research were collected from Alzheimer’s disease studies conducted in Peru and Puerto Rico, as well as from studies involving African Americans. It found that APOE ε4/ε4 carriers showed increased cholesterol biosynthesis and reduced myelination gene expression, with ancestry-specific differences in gene regulation. Researchers from Peru also identified a novel, likely pathogenic stop-gain mutation in the SORL1 gene within a multi-generational Peruvian family.

Peruvian researchers are also involved with the first large-scale investigation into the genetic architecture of Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia within admixed Latin American populations. Conducted by the Multi-Partner Consortium to Expand Dementia Research in Latin America (ReDLat), the research analysed genomic data from 2,162 participants across six countries: Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico. The study identified unique genetic risk factors and ancestral patterns in Latin American dementia patients, proving that diverse genomic data is essential for accurate global diagnosis and the development of effective precision medicine.

Peru is also involved with the Latin American Initiative for Lifestyle Intervention to Prevent Cognitive Decline (LatAm-FINGERS) a major clinical trial across Latin American countries that tests whether a multi-domain lifestyle program can prevent or delay memory loss in older adults. The program focuses on four key areas: a healthy diet, regular physical exercise, cognitive training (brain games), and the management of cardiovascular risk factors like high blood pressure and diabetes.

The 10/66 study is a population-based research initiative aimed at redressing the global imbalance where less than 10% of dementia research is conducted in the low- and middle-income countries that house the majority of the world’s population living with dementia. Peru had an important role with core longitudinal study sites in urban Lima and rural Cañete that provide critical data on how neurodegenerative diseases manifest within the country’s socioeconomic and geographical contexts.

Several studies also explored the neuroprotective potential of two antioxidant-rich Amazonian fruits, aguaje and camu camu, against diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.