Dementia is a collection of symptoms characterized by a deterioration in cognitive functions such as memory, language, reasoning, and the ability to perform daily activities. This condition can be caused by various factors, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular complications, injuries to the brain due to trauma, and other health-related issues. Although advancing age is considered the primary risk factor, evidence suggests that women are at a higher risk of developing dementia. While cognitive changes with ageing are observed in both sexes, significant differences in the biological processes contributing to cognitive decline are seen between men and women.
Recent research conducted by the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and School of Public Health has uncovered specific blood biomarkers – notably lower levels of adiponectin (a hormone secreted by adipose tissue) and elevated fasting blood glucose levels – that are associated with more rapid memory decline in middle-aged individuals. Two biomarkers, elevated HbA1c and plasma insulin levels, have been found to correlate with quicker memory deterioration over time in women, but this association was not observed in men.
The disparity in dementia risk between genders, besides being attributed to differences in life expectancy, may also be linked to a variety of factors, including socio-economic risk elements, inflammation, reproductive indicators, and levels of the amyloid β protein42 (Aβ42). Hence, identifying blood biomarkers with varying connections to cognitive changes among men and women is essential for a deeper understanding of dementia’s root causes and for devising effective preventive measures, as pointed out by Huitong Ding, PhD, a Postdoctoral Associate at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine.
Leveraging data from the Framingham Heart Study (FHS), the team examined numerous blood markers and their relation to memory and cognitive shifts in 793 middle-aged participants, employing various statistical techniques for their analysis. In a forward-looking cohort study, this study marks the inaugural sex-specific examination of blood biomarkers and their association with memory alterations during midlife.
The research findings underscore a pressing need in the field of dementia prevention. It is crucial to shift our focus to cardio-metabolic risks and to authenticate biomarkers specific to midlife. These biomarkers could expedite the creation of primary prevention strategies, a point emphasized by Chunyu Liu, PhD, a professor of biostatistics at the Boston University School of Public Health and co-corresponding author. The study aims to pioneer the development of precise preventive strategies targeting cardio-metabolic risks associated with memory changes in middle age. By doing so, they aim to avert cognitive decline, thereby enhancing individuals’ health and quality of life throughout their lifespan.
More information: Huitong Ding et al, Sex-specific blood biomarkers linked to memory changes in middle-aged adults: The Framingham Heart Study, Alzheimer s & Dementia. DOI: 10.1002/dad2.12569
Journal information: Alzheimer s & Dementia Provided by Boston University School of Medicine
