Gender differences in Alzheimer’s dementia

Women tend to develop Alzheimer’s disease twice more likely as men. Why? Because women live longer than men and older age is the biggest risk factor for disease.

Estrogen and androgens are protective factors for the development of Alzheimer’s dementia, therefore

Risk factors for women:

1. Early Menopause due to sudden drop in estrogen level;
2. nulliparity;
3. depression due to higher incidence in females

Risk factors for men:

1. Drop in androgen levels with aging
2. Sleep apnea due to higher incidence in males
3. Prostate cancer due to androgen deprivation therapy.