A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has uncovered significant differences in brain aging between men and women, raising new questions about the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers analyzed over 12,000 brain scans from nearly 5,000 individuals aged 17 to 95, revealing that men experience faster brain shrinkage across multiple regions compared to women. Despite this, women are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s nearly twice as often, prompting scientists to explore other potential factors beyond structural brain changes. The findings challenge long-held beliefs about aging and dementia risk, suggesting that differences in longevity, hormonal changes, or diagnostic patterns may play a role in the higher prevalence of the disease among women.
The study, led by Anne Ravndal of the University of Oslo, suggests that brain size changes alone cannot explain the disparity in Alzheimer’s rates between genders. Ravndal and her team hypothesized that the higher incidence of the disease in women might be linked to broader biological or environmental factors. For example, women tend to live longer than men, increasing the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s over time. Additionally, shifts in estrogen levels during menopause could influence how brain cells age, according to experts. Some researchers also note that women may be more likely to seek medical help when memory issues arise, leading to higher diagnostic rates.
Although the study does not offer direct health recommendations, it serves as a critical step toward understanding the complex interplay between age, gender, and cognitive decline. Ravndal emphasized that the findings are meant to refine scientific knowledge rather than guide individual decisions.