Women’s Health Month: Women are more susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease than men. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, impairs the ability to converse and respond to the environment, and renders a person unable to perform the simplest tasks. The disease begins with memory loss and is the most common form of dementia, a general term used to describe loss of cognitive functioning.
In patients with Alzheimer’s disease, abnormal clumps called amyloid plaques and bundles of intertwined fibers called neurofibrillars form in the brain. Patients with Alzheimer’s disease experience loss of connections between neurons in the brain. The initial damage occurs to the parts of the brain involved in memory and then affects regions in the cerebral cortex, which are responsible for reasoning, language and social behavior, according to the US National Institutes of Health (NIH).
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Why are women more vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease than men?
Women are more vulnerable to the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease than men due to several factors, including biological, genetic, and hormonal influences.
“Two-thirds of the world’s Alzheimer’s patients are women. The discrepancy can be attributed to several factors, including biological, genetic and lifestyle influences.” Dr. Atul Prasad, Principal Director and HoD, Neurology, BLK Max Super Specialty Hospital, told ABP Live.
He said that a biological factor contributing to the higher prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease in women than in men is their longer half-life compared to men. “Since age is the greatest risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease, the greater longevity of women means that they are more likely to live in the age range in which the disease commonly manifests itself.”
Dr Prasad He said that hormonal changes also play a role in Alzheimer’s disease. She explained that estrogen, a hormone that fluctuates significantly in women during the reproductive years and declines after menopause, is thought to have a protective effect on the brain. Therefore, decreased estrogen levels after menopause may contribute to increased susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease.
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Explain the role of genetics in the gender disparity of Alzheimer’s disease, Dr Prasad said: “The apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene, specifically the APOE-ε4 allele, is a known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have shown that women have a higher prevalence of the APOE-ε4 allele, which increases the risk of developing the disease.
Dr Prasad said that lifestyle choices and social factors also contribute to the higher prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease in women. Additionally, many women care for family members with Alzheimer’s disease, which can create chronic stress for these women and affect their cognitive health.
“Women tend to have higher rates of obesity and cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, which are known to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, women often take on caregiving responsibilities for family members with Alzheimer’s disease, which can lead to chronic stress and potentially affect their own cognitive health. explained Dr. Prasad.
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According to Dr. Ankita Chandna, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, Social and environmental factors, such as educational level, may be responsible for the disparity in the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease.
Anatomical differences in cerebral blood flow and the density of amyloid plaques in the brain also contribute to the gender disparity in the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease.
“Differences in brain structure between women and men are related to a higher prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease in women. For example, unusual protein deposits known as amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease, are present in greater density in the brains of women, putting them at greater risk. Additionally, blood flow to the brain is important for effective brain function. Some studies suggest that older women have reduced cerebral blood flow than men, leading to impaired brain function in women as they age. Dr. Mithee Bhanot, Senior OB/GYN Consultant, Apollo 24|7 and Apollo Hospitals, Sector-26, Noida, told ABP Live.
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According to Dr. Prasad, Addressing the gender disparity in Alzheimer’s disease requires a comprehensive approach, including the promotion of healthy lifestyles, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and monitoring of cardiovascular health. also he said that awareness of the importance of early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and seeking medical intervention may lead to timely diagnosis and intervention strategies that may slow the progression of neurodegenerative disease.
“More research is needed to better understand the complex interplay between biology, genetics, and lifestyle factors that contribute to the higher prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease in women. By gaining a deeper understanding of these factors, we can develop targeted prevention strategies, early detection methods, and effective treatments to mitigate the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and improve the quality of life for those affected.” concluded Dr. Prasad.
As suggested by experts, focus on health after menopause, understand genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, improve lifestyle choices, eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, control cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes, and seeking medical care early if symptoms are visible, can help reduce the risk of neurodegenerative disease in women.
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