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Consideration of sex and gender in Alzheimer's disease and related disorders from a global perspective. Alzheimers Dement 2022 Dec;18(12):2707-2724

Date

04/09/2022

Pubmed ID

35394117

Pubmed Central ID

PMC9547039

DOI

10.1002/alz.12662

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85129179800 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   43 Citations

Abstract

Sex or gender differences in the risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) differ by world region, suggesting that there are potentially modifiable risk factors for intervention. However, few epidemiological or clinical ADRD studies examine sex differences; even fewer evaluate gender in the context of ADRD risk. The goals of this perspective are to: (1) provide definitions of gender, biologic sex, and sexual orientation. and the limitations of examining these as binary variables; (2) provide an overview of what is known with regard to sex and gender differences in the risk, prevention, and diagnosis of ADRD; and (3) discuss these sex and gender differences from a global, worldwide perspective. Identifying drivers of sex and gender differences in ADRD throughout the world is a first step in developing interventions unique to each geographical and sociocultural area to reduce these inequities and to ultimately reduce global ADRD risk. HIGHLIGHTS: The burden of dementia is unevenly distributed geographically and by sex and gender. Scientific advances in genetics and biomarkers challenge beliefs that sex is binary. Discrimination against women and sex and gender minority (SGM) populations contributes to cognitive decline. Sociocultural factors lead to gender inequities in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) worldwide.

Author List

Mielke MM, Aggarwal NT, Vila-Castelar C, Agarwal P, Arenaza-Urquijo EM, Brett B, Brugulat-Serrat A, DuBose LE, Eikelboom WS, Flatt J, Foldi NS, Franzen S, Gilsanz P, Li W, McManus AJ, van Lent DM, Milani SA, Shaaban CE, Stites SD, Sundermann E, Suryadevara V, Trani JF, Turner AD, Vonk JMJ, Quiroz YT, Babulal GM, Diversity and Disparity Professional Interest Area Sex and Gender Special Interest Group

Author

Benjamin Brett PhD Assistant Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Alzheimer Disease
Cognitive Dysfunction
Female
Humans
Male
Risk Factors