Reframing Dementia Prevention Strategies Aligned with the WHO Global Action Plan: A Structured Narrative Review Focusing on Mild Behavioral Impairment

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Dementia represents a growing public health challenge. The WHO Global Action Plan on the Public Health Response to Dementia emphasizes early detection, risk reduction, and innovation as key priorities. Mild Behavioral Impairment (MBI), defined as the emergence of persistent neuropsychiatric symptoms in older individuals, represents a potential marker of early neurodegeneration and possible window for early intervention. This review explores the role of MBI in dementia prevention, mapping current evidence within the WHO Global Action Plan framework. <b>Methods</b>: A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and the official WHO website, during 1 September 2025-10 November 2025, without time restrictions. Eligible sources included original clinical studies, reviews, and policy documents addressing MBI, dementia prevention, and public health. Data were thematically synthesized according to the seven objectives of WHO: (1) dementia as a public health priority, (2) dementia awareness and friendliness, (3) dementia risk reduction, (4) dementia diagnosis, treatment, care and support, (5) support for dementia carers, (6) information systems for dementia, and (7) dementia research and innovation. <b>Results</b>: Accumulating evidence indicates that MBI assessment can capture early behavioral manifestations of neurodegenerative and other forms of dementia, correlating with fluid, neuroimaging and genetic biomarkers. Integrating MBI screening through the easy-to-administer MBI Checklist (MBI-C) into clinical and community-based care, including telemedicine pathways and research, may enhance early identification and personalized interventions, enrich the pool for clinical trials, and facilitate research in biomarker and therapy. MBI-related research further supports its integration in remote digital monitoring and population-based prevention. <b>Conclusions</b>: Embedding MBI-informed screening and interventions into national dementia strategies aligns with WHO objectives for early, equitable and scalable prevention and brain health.

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Journal
Neurology International
Published
2026-01-16
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/neurolint18010018
Primary Topic
Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
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article
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article

Reframing Dementia Prevention Strategies Aligned with the WHO Global Action Plan: A Structured Narrative Review Focusing on Mild Behavioral Impairment

Efthalia Angelopoulou, Sokratis G. Papageorgiou
Neurology International
Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
article

Reframing Dementia Prevention Strategies Aligned with the WHO Global Action Plan: A Structured Narrative Review Focusing on Mild Behavioral Impairment

Efthalia Angelopoulou, Sokratis G. Papageorgiou
article en

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Dementia represents a growing public health challenge. The WHO Global Action Plan on the Public Health Response to Dementia emphasizes early detection, risk reduction, and innovation as key priorities. Mild Behavioral Impairment (MBI), defined as the emergence of persistent neuropsychiatric symptoms in older individuals, represents a potential marker of early neurodegeneration and possible window for early intervention. This review explores the role of MBI in dementia prevention, mapping current evidence within the WHO Global Action Plan framework. <b>Methods</b>: A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and the official WHO website, during 1 September 2025-10 November 2025, without time restrictions. Eligible sources included original clinical studies, reviews, and policy documents addressing MBI, dementia prevention, and public health. Data were thematically synthesized according to the seven objectives of WHO: (1) dementia as a public health priority, (2) dementia awareness and friendliness, (3) dementia risk reduction, (4) dementia diagnosis, treatment, care and support, (5) support for dementia carers, (6) information systems for dementia, and (7) dementia research and innovation. <b>Results</b>: Accumulating evidence indicates that MBI assessment can capture early behavioral manifestations of neurodegenerative and other forms of dementia, correlating with fluid, neuroimaging and genetic biomarkers. Integrating MBI screening through the easy-to-administer MBI Checklist (MBI-C) into clinical and community-based care, including telemedicine pathways and research, may enhance early identification and personalized interventions, enrich the pool for clinical trials, and facilitate research in biomarker and therapy. MBI-related research further supports its integration in remote digital monitoring and population-based prevention. <b>Conclusions</b>: Embedding MBI-informed screening and interventions into national dementia strategies aligns with WHO objectives for early, equitable and scalable prevention and brain health.

Neurology InternationalVol. 18(1)
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (GR), Eginition Hospital (GR)
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Openalex Percentile: Top 87%
Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
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