Apr 04, 2017

3 Reasons Why Alzheimer’s Might Be More Common in Women than Men

Did you know that women are more likely to have Alzheimer’s disease than men?

A 65 year old woman is twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s than a man at the same age. And at 75, it becomes three times as likely.

A 2012 report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reported that approximately two thirds of people with dementia were female.

So why is this the case? Is it related to genetics? Or does it have something to do with how female brains are wired? Here are 3 possible reasons why.

Women Live Longer Than Men

One reason why there may be an alarmingly high rate of older people with Alzheimer’s could simply be because women generally live longer than men.

Further analysis of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare research showed that age played a role in the gender proportions, with men being slightly higher for people under the age of 65 with 53%. However, when looking at people over 85%, women were 75% of all cases.

Women reportedly live, on average, six years longer than men – and there is the possibility that more women develop Alzheimer’s disease in their 80s because there are more of them around.

As old age is a factor that increases the chance of having dementia and Alzheimer’s, living longer will evidently increase the risk. Thus why women who are living longer are more likely to show symptoms.

Hormones May Make a Difference

As people age, their hormones levels are affected – in particular the sex steroid hormones. These hormones include testosterone, oestrogen and progesterone, as well as others. It has been suggested in the past that having these in reduced levels actually increases the risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease in both men and women.

The science behind this is that oestrogen and testosterone regulate particular processes, one that is particularly dangerous is that accumulation of amyloid beta protein. Amyloid beta protein, when built up, creates a plaque in the brain which is seen in people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Because sex steroid hormones decrease more rapidly in women, because of menopause, that may be the reason why the dementia risk increases so rapidly in women 65 years and over.

However, it should be noted that trials of hormones replacement therapy have yet be proven effective as an Alzheimer’s treatment

Men are Dying from Cardiovascular Disease

There’s the possibility that women are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s simply because men are more likely to develop other life-limiting conditions. Cardiovascular disease is one of the top killers of men between the age of 45-65.

Across all age groups, men have a higher rate of cardiovascular disease with the death rates being almost three times as high as those for females of the same age.

It should be noted that there is no definitive reason as to why more women have Alzheimer’s than men, and that all ideas discussed are hypotheses. Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that affects both men and women and can appear anywhere at any age.  

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Bonds of friendships forged as students ‘live in’ at nursing home

A program that has physio and occupational therapy students living on site in a nursing home is reaping benefits for both residents and students. Four physiotherapy and OT Masters students have been living at Scalabrini Village in Sydney’s Bexley. Each student has their own bedroom with ensuite, and they share a common kitchen and living... Read More

Letting go, not giving up, in late stage dementia

In late stage dementia most people will begin to require additional support and assistance. Caring for someone at this stage of dementia can be a profound experience. In late stage dementia, people become frail, and the damage to their brain is to such an extent that they can no longer perform most tasks. While of... Read More

Lecanemab: A “miracle drug” for Alzheimer’s? Some say no

A recently released report has boasted a new drug is behind the reduction in cognitive decline for those living with Alzheimer’s, but experts warn it isn’t a fix-all solution for the condition. Read More
Advertisement