Home » Health & Wellness » Genetic Testing » What are you? XX vs XY: Alzheimer's Disease

What are you? XX vs XY: Alzheimer's Disease

© Laura Ruth

Remembering for women may be more difficult than for men, since the incidence of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is 2-3x higher in women than men. It is estimated that 12-15 million people in the U.S. could have AD by the middle of the century. If women are 2-3x more likely to have AD, then it is useful to look at why the incidence of AD is higher and what can be done as prevention and treatment.

Obviously, there is a genetic difference between men and women. Men carry XY chromosomes, while women carry XX chromosomes. Why the chromosomal genetic difference between men and women affects aging is a bit of a mystery. One reason AD affects more women than men is women live longer than men. A second reason AD affects more women than men seems to be related to estrogen deficiency. Retrospective analysis shows that estrogen replacement therapy reduces a woman's risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease by 40-60%. Estrogen replacement therapy also seems to improve cognitive abilities in women already diagnosed with AD. The other controversial prevention methods and treatments of AD, such as the use of anti-oxidants, vitamin E, and the use of an anti-inflammatory for a month at some point in life, seem to treat AD in men and women equally effectively.

As millions more women than men will potentially be affected by AD, it is important to remember to analyze why AD affects more women and potential prevention and treatment differences.

References

Brinton, R.D. 'A Women's Health Issue: Alzheimer's Disease and Strategies for Maintaining Cognitive Health' Intl. J. Fertility, 1999, 44(4): 174-85.

Lai, F., Kammann, MS, Rebeck, G.W., et al. 'ApoE genotype and gender effects on Alzheimer disease in 100 adults with Down syndrome' Neurology, 1999, 53(2): 331-6.

The copyright of the article What are you? XX vs XY: Alzheimer's Disease in Genetic Testing is owned by . Permission to republish What are you? XX vs XY: Alzheimer's Disease in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.