The cost of longevity? Scholar: Amyloid protein is twice as common in women with Alzheimer's disease as it is the key
Are women more likely to get Alzheimer’s disease? Research shows that the incidence rate is 2 times higher in men
The average life span of women is longer than that of men. Relevant studies have pointed out that the possible reason is that men have a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease and a greater secretion of male hormones. However, women who live longer may also face a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Andrew E. Budson, professor of neurology at Boston University School of Medicine, pointed out that the major risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease is age, and the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease increases with age. There are 6.2 million Alzheimer’s patients in the United States, and nearly two-thirds of them are women over the age of 65, which means that the incidence rate in women is almost twice that of men.
Data from the “2021 Alzheimer’s disease Facts and Figures in the United States” show that out of 1,000 elderly people aged 75 to 84 each year, 32 will develop Alzheimer’s disease. The number of the above elderly people increased to 76. It is estimated that the elderly female population is larger than the elderly male population, and the proportion of women suffering from the disease is showing a simultaneous upward trend.
Do women have stronger immune systems than men, making them more susceptible to dementia in later life?
However, the longer life expectancy of women than men does not fully explain why women are more susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease. A Taiwanese research team claimed that women had a higher rate of developing Alzheimer’s disease during the 7-year statistical period (2004-2010). Research in Spain shows that the rate of Alzheimer’s disease among women is about 13/1,000, while that of men is only 7/1,000.
Budson said two studies showed a significant association between gender and Alzheimer’s disease prevalence. Previous Swedish research has shown that there are no significant differences between men and women in symptoms of dementia not caused by Alzheimer’s disease, and they do not change with age. The key to the difference may be related to “β-Amyloid” in the brain.
Budson claimed that amyloid proteins are known as “blockers in the brain’s traffic system” and are generally believed to be the key factors that cause cerebral blood vessel obstruction and cause dementia. Why do women have higher concentrations of beta-amyloid protein? Budson believes that a more reasonable explanation is that during pregnancy, women develop a stronger immune system than men to protect their fetuses from viral infections, which also explains why autoimmune diseases are more common in pregnant women.
Budson further analyzed that women are more likely to suffer from autoimmune diseases than men. As an accessory to immune diseases, the deposition rate of amyloid protein is also significantly higher, which may be a potential reason why women are susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease. It can be seen that women are more likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. There are two possible main reasons:
The average life expectancy of women is longer than that of men, and the proportion of the population suffering from Alzheimer’s disease is increasing.
During pregnancy, women develop stronger immunity, leading to an increased chance of suffering from autoimmune diseases. The brain eventually produces more beta-amyloid proteins, increasing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Is Alzheimer’s disease inevitable for women? Develop 4 habits to reduce your risk of disease
Are women inherently more susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease and is it inevitable? Budson believes that although there are many Alzheimer’s disease studies supporting this hypothesis, its inferential relationship still needs to be confirmed by further large-scale studies. The cause of Alzheimer’s disease is often unknown, and there is no evidence that specific drugs or nutritional supplements are effective in treating it. Budson recommends that people develop the following four habits in their daily lives, which can also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in later life:
Perform aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes every day, at least 5 days a week. For example, go for a brisk walk, ride a bike, or swim.
Adopt the “Mediterranean Diet”. Include fish, olive oil, plenty of fruits and vegetables, nuts and legumes, whole grains, and less red meat and processed foods.
Get enough sleep. Dr. Budson said sleep helps clear beta-amyloid plaques from the brain.
Participate in social activities and engage in activities that are beneficial to “cognitive stimulation”, such as playing chess, playing games, reading, or using computers.
Source:
Why are women more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease?
Prevalence and incidence of Alzheimer’s disease in Europe: A meta-analysis
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