Dementia 'more likely in women than men'

Healthcare News
03/07/2008
Study examines gender differences in the incidence of dementia in older age groups.

Women over 90 are significantly more likely to have dementia than men of the same age, new US research has suggested.

Out of 911 people, 45 per cent of women had dementia, compared with 28 per cent of men, according to the study published in the latest online issue of the Neurology journal.

It found the likelihood of having dementia doubled every five years in women after reaching 90 but not in men.

University of California epidemiologist and study co-author Maria Corrada said it provides valuable information to assist with further enquiries into dementia.

She added the research shows the need for adequate resources to care for the increasing numbers of very old people with dementia.

Last week, Nature Medicine reported a team of Irish and international scientists said they had identified Alzheimer's disease is triggered after the accumulation of a particular protein in the brain.

The group said their findings place strong emphasis on future treatments aimed at reducing the protein's build-up, rather than the plaque burden which is associated with the condition.

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