Alzheimer's is the progressive mental deterioration that can occur in the middle or old age, having impacts on memory and cognitive function. In simple words, this disorder slowly destroys memory and thinking abilities and eventually the ability to carry out every day, simple tasks. One of the most concerning facts about this disease is that it disproportionately affects women.
Women stand at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s. While, to a certain extent, the fact that women live longer than men might be responsible for this, there are various other factors responsible for this issue.
Other factors responsible for the gender gap in Alzheimer’s are as follows:
Hormonal issues
Hormonal issues and biological factors are responsible for causing Alzheimer’s in women. It must be noted that estrogen has an important role to play in this. If bears neuroprotective properties that are responsible for supporting brain function. There is a significant decline in the estrogen levels of women during menopause which makes them more susceptible to this disease.
Hormonal deterioration accelerates cognitive decline and also contributes to the buildup of beta-amyloid plaques that are responsible for causing Alzheimer’s disease.
Apart from this, the brain structure also has a role to play in Alzheimer’s. Female brain structure is a little different from the male brain structure. Women tend to have a higher volume of gray matter, which helps with memory, but this may also mean that the loss of neurons effects women more severely as Alzheimer's progresses.
Genetics
Genetics are another important factor responsible for the gender gap existing in Alzheimer’s. There are certain genetic factors that have a stronger impact on women in comparison to men. There is a APOE-ε4 gene variant, known for increasing Alzheimer’s risk that impacts women more strongly than men. It has been observed that women who have this gene variant have a greater chance of developing this disease in comparison to males.
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellness also has an important link with the risk of Alzheimer’s. Women are more likely to experience issues like depression and anxiety which have been known to enhance the possibilities of cognitive decline later in life. Issues like stress and untreated mental health conditions can have detrimental impacts on cognitive health in later life, potentially heightening the risk of Alzheimer’s.
Tips to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s in women
Some risk factors are beyond control but women can take certain steps to reduce their risk of Alzheimer's. It’s important to stay physically active to support brain health. Learning new skills and indulging in cognitive activities also helps in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s. Lastly, having good hormonal health and managing stress through mindfulness, social support and therapy, if needed can significantly help in reducing the risk of developing this disease.
In conclusion, the gender gap in Alzheimer's is exists because of multiple factors. Addressing this issue requires more focused research and proactive measures for women to protect their cognitive health with the increase in age.
Dr. Vivek Barun, Consultant Neurology & Epilepsy, Artemis Hospitals
