The Study of Latinos-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging (SOL-INCA)
SOL-INCA Lab is a research lab dedicated to understanding neurocognitive aging among Latinos. Our lab is based at UC San Diego, in the Department of Neurosciences. It is an ancillary study of the Hispanic community health study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) and is funded by the National Institute of Aging (NIA).
At the Heart of Latino Health
A message from Dr. Hector González, Principal Investigator
The Study of Latinos-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging (SOL-INCA) is the culmination of 20-years of my life’s work understanding cognitive aging and impairment among Latinos. In the beginning of my clinical scientific journey, no tools existed for assessing cognition for Latinos. Thus, I sought to resolve this major gap in the service of my community by developing neuropsychological tests under the mentorship of Dr. Dan Mungas. But that was not enough, my career and personal goals centered on positively impacting the health of larger Latino communities. Therefore, I began population health studies of Latinos in the Sacramento Area Latino Study of Aging (SALSA) with the guidance of Dr. Mary Haan.
These rigorous experiences prepared me to lead the largest and most comprehensive study of cognitive aging and impairment among diverse Latinos across the United States in SOL-INCA. The rich SOL-INCA data enables scientists to take a comprehensive, wholistic and systemic approach to examining the brain health and aging of diverse Latinos. As a population neuroscientist and Professor at the University of California, San Diego, I am leveraging our brilliant and collegial neuroscientific community and other health science communities on our mission to discover new innovative, practical and accessible means for maintaining cognitive health and aging of Latinos and the world. I invite you to join us in our important and meaningful mission.