Study Shows How Sex Differences Play a Role in Alzheimer’s

CLEVELAND – Nearly two-thirds of those with Alzheimer’s disease in the United States are women.

Now, new research from Cleveland Clinic may shed some light on why that is.

According Jessica Caldwell, PhD, neuropsychologist for Cleveland Clinic, they found that certain sex differences could play a role.

“This study was designed to better understand the sex differences in Alzheimer’s disease, and specifically we looked at whether or not the immune system and cell metabolism actually interact in different ways in men and women,” Dr. Caldwell explained.

Researchers ultimately discovered that there is a difference.

So, why is this information important to know?

Dr. Caldwell explains that it shows how Alzheimer’s disease goes beyond the brain, there is a connection to gut health and inflammation too.

And because those things can be measured earlier in life, physicians could then detect who is at risk for the disease much sooner.

Currently, Alzheimer’s can’t be diagnosed until a person has symptoms.

Dr. Caldwell said this information could also be useful when it comes to prevention of the disease.

“Because we know that our immune system and cellular pathways, many times, are able to be modified and because we know our gut health and immune systems are impacted by the things that we do, like exercise, by the things that we eat, how we take care of ourselves, this study may also play into prevention for, or risk reduction of, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias,” she said.

Dr. Caldwell said their research is still ongoing.

They plan to study more individuals to see if the findings are similar.