Promoting diversity and overcoming publication barriers in Latin American neuroscience and Alzheimer's disease research: A call to action.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a global health issue. Because AD is a condition demanding effective management, its socioeconomic burden is immense and threatens the health systems of both low- and middle-income (LMIC) and high-income (HIC) countries. However, while most of the HICs are increasing their budget for AD research, the situation is different in LMICs, and resources are scarce. In addition, LMIC researchers face significant barriers to publishing in international peer reviewed journals, including funding constraints; language barriers; and in many cases, high article processing charges. In this perspective, we discuss these disparities and propose some actions that could help promote diversity, and ultimately translate into improved AD research capacity in LMICs, especially in Latin American and Caribbean countries.
Highlights: Researchers in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) face increasing difficulties such as financial constraints, language barriers, and article processing charges.Publication fees, in particular, can be a significant barrier in the process of publication and equal access to scientific information.Publication fee equalization initiatives by publishing companies could reduce the scientific inequality that disadvantages researchers in LMICs.
Competing Interests: Mychael V. Lourenco has received research support from Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ 202.744/2019 and 210.316/2022), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq 434093/2018‐1 and 311487/2019‐0), Alzheimer's Association (AARG‐D‐615741 and the Blas Frangione Early Career Achievement Award), International Brain Research Organization, and Serrapilheira Institute (R‐2012‐37967). Wylllians Vendramini Borelli is supported by CNPq (PDJ scholarship) and Alzheimer's Association (AACSF‐D‐22‐928689). Claudia Duran‐Aniotz is supported by ANID/FONDEF IDEA ID22I10029, ANID/FONDECYT Regular 1210622, ANID/PIA/ANILLOS ACT210096 and the MULTI‐PARTNER CONSORTIUM TO EXPAND DEMENTIA RESEARCH IN LATIN AMERICA [ReDLat, supported by National Institutes of Health, National Institutes of Aging (R01 AG057234), Alzheimer's Association (SG‐20‐725707), Rainwater Charitable foundation‐Tau Consortium, and Global Brain Health Institute)]. Eduardo R. Zimmer receives financial support from CNPq [460172/2014‐0], PRONEX, FAPERGS/CNPq [16/2551‐0000475‐7], Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology in Excitotoxicity and Neuroprotection [465671/2014‐4], FAPERGS/MS/CNPq/SESRS–PPSUS [30786.434.24734.23112017] and Instituto Serrapilheira [Serra‐1912‐31365]. MAB received financial support from CNPq [150293/2019‐4] and serves on the scientific advisory board of Next Innovative Therapeutics (Nintx). Shamyr S. Castro has had research funding granted by the São Paulo Research Foundation – FAPESP; Minas Gerais State Agency for Research and Development – FAPEMIG; and National Council for Scientific and Technological Development – CNPq. Author disclosures are available in the supporting information.
(© 2023 The Authors. Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Alzheimer's Association.)