Let's Not Forget Sex Differences in Alzheimer's Disease
- Ronell Klingman
- Jun 18, 2024
- 1 min read
Updated: Oct 17, 2024
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains the leading form of dementia worldwide, impacting around 50 million people. Interestingly, women represent nearly two-thirds of those diagnosed. This discrepancy is partly due to their longer life expectancy and possibly higher dementia incidence. However, sex-specific considerations in AD research and treatment have been notably lacking.
Current research highlights significant sex and gender differences in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), from brain structure to hormonal and genetic influences. Women often exhibit better cognitive function in early stages despite similar neurodegeneration levels, but post-diagnosis, their disease progresses more rapidly. Socioeconomic and biological factors further complicate this picture, influencing disease prevalence and progression.
• Understanding these differences is essential.
• Brain imaging reveals that women face faster neurodegeneration, while men experience slower structural loss.
• Depression, stress, and hormonal changes also play critical roles, with women showing higher susceptibility.
• Single-cell studies reveal distinct transcriptional responses to AD pathology between sexes, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches.
• The role of sex hormones and genetic factors, such as the APOE gene, also demands attention.
o Women with APOE4 face higher AD risks and faster cognitive decline, underscoring the complexity of hormone therapy outcomes.
• Moreover, vascular risk factors and immune responses exhibit sex-specific patterns, influencing disease progression.
Given these insights, we must integrate sex-specific analyses into AD research and clinical trials.
Recognizing and addressing these disparities is crucial for developing effective treatments, ensuring better outcomes for everyone affected by this devastating disease.
Read more:
doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1105620
