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Sex Differences in Cognitive Decline Among US Adults
Deborah A Levine1,2,3, Alden L Gross4, Emily M Briceño1,3,5
1Cognitive Health Services Research Program, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Women may have higher cognitive reserve but experience faster cognitive decline than men, potentially explaining sex differences in dementia risk. This finding is crucial for understanding dementia disparities.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cognitive Science
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Sex differences in dementia risk are not fully understood, though some research indicates a higher risk for women.
- Understanding these differences is vital for developing targeted prevention and treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between sex and cognitive decline.
- To elucidate potential sex-based differences in dementia risk.
Main Methods:
- Pooled analysis of individual participant data from five large cohort studies (1971-2017).
- Inclusion of 26,088 participants (Black or White, free of stroke and dementia).
- Linear mixed-effects models used to assess cognitive change over time by sex.
Main Results:
- Women exhibited higher baseline performance in global cognition, executive function, and memory compared to men.
- Women showed significantly faster rates of decline in global cognition and executive function.
- Rates of memory decline were similar between men and women.
Conclusions:
- Women may possess greater cognitive reserve but experience a more rapid cognitive decline than men.
- These sex-specific patterns of cognitive change could contribute to observed differences in late-life dementia prevalence.
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