Researchers have long been aware that more women than men get Alzheimer’s disease, but we still are trying to understand why. The question at this point is not settled, but according to recent research, there may be biological, genetic and perhaps cultural factors in play.
More than five million people in the US have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and 2/3 of them are female. Age is considered to be the largest risk factor for getting the disease, so this has long been attributed to women just living longer than men. Women live an average of 81 years, compared to 76 for men.
However, even after we take age into account, women have a higher risk for the disease, says Richard Lipton, a physician who heads the Einstein Aging Study at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. More researchers are trying to understand why this is, as more female Alzheimer’s researchers are working in the field. These female experts say that scientific workforce diversity is critical because if women are working on the issue, it is more likely to influence the research agenda.
Current research shows that despite the traditional longevity argument, women are are 70-79 are two times as likely as men at that age to develop dementia. After 80, the risk level is about the same and remains so throughout the rest of life.
The differing risks for cardiovascular disease may be a factor, some researchers believe. Men are more likely to die of heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure before they get Alzheimer’s disease. It could be that those who survive have a stronger cardiovascular system, which can help to prevent dementia.
Researchers are working hard to understand why women 70-79 are twice as likely as men to develop dementia.
Other factors could be level of education and how susceptible the patient is to depression, which affects more women than men. People who do not have as much education seem to be at higher risk for dementia than people with advanced college degrees. Women who are in the higher risk age group may have had difficulty getting a university education when they were younger and always worked menial labor jobs.
Women also have a 70% risk of getting depression in life, which is a lot higher than men. There seems to be a link between late life depression and dementia.
Estrogen also may play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. When the levels of estrogen drop after menopause, there is a major decline in the ability of the brain to burn glucose for energy. Without glucose for fuel, the brain then burns ketone bodies, which are made from carbs and fats in the liver. The problem with this is that this backup fuel system creates byproducts that can damage brain cells.
Research into why women get the disease is continuing, and researchers hope that as they learn more about why this happens, it will give them clues about how to prevent Alzheimer’s for all groups.
Dining Aids for Your Loved One
As you and your loved one grapple with Alzheimer’s disease, know that there are many useful products available to make it much more manageable. Our dining utensils make the eating process a lot easier:
Good Grips Utensils – Easy to grip for the patient, featuring extra large, rubber handles.
Food Bumper – Makes food scooping faster and easier.
