Scientists warn that women ‘significantly faster’ decline in cognition than men and are at greater risk for dementia
- Researchers from the USA analyzed 26 088 people who took cognitive tests
- It included 11,775 men and 14,313 women with an average starting age of 58
- The team found that the memory capacity of men and women decreases at similar prices
- But women lost executive function and global cognition performance faster
- Decline in these two areas of knowledge is known to increase the risk of dementia
Compared to men, women undergo ‘significantly faster’ cognitive declines later in life that increase their risk of dementia, a new study has warned.
Researchers from the USA analyzed data on the cognitive decline of 26,088 people who were repeatedly tested for global cognition, executive function, and memory.
At the beginning of the test, the average age of participants was 58.
The team found that men and women experienced an average decrease in their memory ability at the same rate.
However, women have been found to experience significantly greater declines in both global cognition and executive functions – trends associated with the increased risk of dementia.
Compared to men, women ‘in life’ undergo significantly faster ‘cognitive decline which increases their risk for dementia, a new study warns (stock image)
‘[Our] results indicate that women have a greater cognitive reserve, but have faster cognitive decline than men, ‘the researchers write in their paper.
“Evidence suggests that the incidence of dementia in Europe and the US has declined over the past 25 years, but that women were less than men.”
“Our findings suggest that women are at risk for delay in identifying cognitive decline, but faster decline, indicating increased risk of dementia and disability compared to men.”
This is consistent with research showing that women with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease have faster cognitive decline than men.
In their study, chronic disease expert Deborah Levine of the University of Michigan and colleagues analyzed data on the cognitive abilities of 26,088 people – including 11,775 men and 14,313 women.
The data were compiled from five existing health studies that took place from 1971–2017.
All of the subjects included in the study did not have any stroke or dementia during the initial assessment, as this may affect the rate of cognitive decline.
The researchers found that – at the time of their first cognitive assessment, women on average had significantly higher performance scores in global cognition, executive function, and memory than their male counterparts.
Although it has been found that the memory ability of women and men decreases approximately the same over time, it has been found that women experience significantly faster deterioration in their performance in both global cognition and executive function tests.
Although it has been found that the memory ability of women and men decreases approximately the same over time, it has been found that women experience significantly faster deterioration in their performance in both global cognition and executive function tests. Pictured is a comparison of the projected decrease in cognitive values (with global cognition left, executive function center, and memory right) from age 70 for the average black man and woman
According to the researchers, the findings could help improve the provision of health care to women later in their lives.
“Women may have greater needs for resources for care and functional support, especially given the longer life expectancy of women compared to men,” they said.
In addition, they added that women also have a greater need for serial cognitive assessment to enable earlier detection of cognitive decline.
They added that women are at greater risk than men of being diagnosed with dementia based on objectively measured cognitive decline.
However, the team warned: ‘our findings that women had higher initial cognitive scores suggest that informants and clinicians may not observe a significant cognitive decline in women until significant loss and impairment have occurred.’
The full findings of the study were published in the journal JAMA Network Open.
WHAT IS DEMENS? THE KILLER DISEASE THAT SUFFERERS OF THEIR MEMORIES
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a variety of neurological disorders.
A GENERAL ACCESS
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a series of progressive neurological disorders (affecting the brain) that affect memory, thinking and behavior.
There are many different types of dementia, of which the disease is the most common.
Some people have a combination of types of dementia.
Regardless of what type is diagnosed, each person will experience their dementia in their own unique way.
Dementia is a global source of concern, but it is most common in affluent countries, where people are likely to become very high.
HOW MUCH PEOPLE AFFECT?
The Alzheimer’s Association reports that today there are more than 850,000 people with dementia living in the UK, of which more than 500,000 have Alzheimer’s.
It is estimated that the number of people living with dementia in the UK by 2025 will rise to more than 1 million.
In the US, it is estimated that there are 5.5 million Alzheimer’s sufferers. A similar percentage increase is expected in the coming years.
As a person’s age increases, so does the risk of developing dementia.
The diagnosis rate is improving, but many people with dementia have probably not been diagnosed yet.
IS THERE A MEDICINE?
Currently, there is no cure for dementia.
But new drugs can slow progress, and the sooner they are noticed, the more effective the treatment.
Source: Alzheimer’s Association