Understanding the differences between men and women in their risk of dementia can help scientists develop better treatments.
Women are at higher risk of dementia
Yes, women are more likely to develop dementia during their lifetime. In fact, almost twice as many women suffer from Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, compared to men.
The main reason for this increased risk is that women on average live longer than men. And age is simply the biggest risk factor for dementia.
Whether men and women of the same age are equally at risk is less clear. Some studies suggest that women over 80 may be more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than men of the same age. Until that age, however, the risk seems to be about the same for both sexes.
There are also studies that have found no difference in risk of dementia between men and women, even in the oldest age groups. This makes it difficult to say with certainty that women have a higher risk than men at the same age.
Still, this does not mean that gender does not play an important role in understanding dementia risk. It is likely that men and women each have their own unique mix of risk factors.
Why might women be at different risk of dementia?
Women often experience very different things during their lives than men, especially women from older generations. Some of these differences are biological in nature, such as menstruation, pregnancies and menopause.
Other differences are more related to traditional gender roles, such as education, work and lifestyle. Many of these factors affect the risk of dementia.
Education and mental stimulation
One example is cognitive reserve. We know that a good education and the opportunity for continuous mental stimulation help delay dementia later in life. Historically, however, women had less access to universities or long-term careers in highly skilled occupations. This has led some scientists to suspect that this may be an important risk factor for women.
Genetics: ApoE4 gene variant
Another important difference between men and women can be found in genetics. A specific gene, the ‘ApoE4’ variant, significantly increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Almost two-thirds of people with Alzheimer's carry at least one copy of this gene. Although men and women are equally likely to have this gene variant, the effect on risk seems to be greater in women. Why this is so remains a mystery for now. However, this difference may prove crucial in developing future drugs that may work differently in men and women.
Brain injury: an underestimated factor?
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is another risk factor for dementia, where gender differences may play a role. Women seem to be more susceptible to concussions and their long-term effects on the brain. This has led some to call for more attention to concussion prevention in women's sports, such as football and rugby.
Conclusion: dementia is different for women
Although we already know a lot about dementia, much remains unclear about the differences between men and women. Women live longer, often have a different life course and are affected differently by genetic and environmental factors. It is essential that future research focuses on these differences so that treatments can be better tailored to the specific needs of both genders.
