Women are more vulnerable to many dementia risks, UC San Diego study says
A UC San Diego study found women face higher vulnerability to 13 dementia risk factors, including depression, physical inactivity, and sleep problems, with some conditions like hypertension and high BMI impacting cognition more severely in women despite higher prevalence in men. Researchers emphasize the need for sex-specific interventions in dementia research, aligning with precision medicine approaches.
Researchers at UC San Diego published a study on May 19 in *Biology of Sex Differences* highlighting how women are disproportionately affected by dementia risk factors. The study analyzed 13 risk factors—such as depression, physical inactivity, and poor diet—using data from over 17,000 middle-aged or older adults in the National Institute of Aging’s Health and Retirement Study. Women reported higher rates of depression (17% vs. 9% in men), physical inactivity (48% vs. 42%), and sleep problems (45% vs. 40%), while men had higher rates of hearing loss (64% vs. 50%), diabetes (24% vs. 21%), and heavy alcohol use (22% vs. 12%). However, the impact of these factors on cognition varied by sex. Conditions like hypertension and high BMI, though common in both groups, correlated more strongly with cognitive decline in women. Conversely, hearing loss and diabetes—more prevalent in men—were linked to worse cognitive scores in women. Lead author Megan Fitzhugh noted this discrepancy, stating that while men experience more hearing loss, its cognitive impact is greater in women. The study underscores the importance of sex as a biological variable in dementia research, an area often overlooked despite its relevance to leading causes of death like Alzheimer’s. Co-author Judy Pa emphasized that precision medicine—tailoring treatments to individual characteristics—could improve outcomes by addressing sex-specific risks. Researchers hope the findings will guide more targeted interventions, including exploring hormonal, genetic, and healthcare access disparities. The study also suggests that modifiable risk factors, such as lifestyle and behavior, play a critical role in dementia vulnerability. While some differences, like education levels or job-related physical activity, were expected, others—like the cognitive impact of hearing loss—were less intuitive. The authors call for further investigation into these interactions to refine prevention and treatment strategies for women at higher risk.
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