Estrogen has been thought to play a role in a woman’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
In a new study, researchers examined the link between a woman’s reproductive life span and the risk of AD.
They found that a longer reproductive life was linked to increased levels of AD biomarkers in the preclinical phase of the disease.
Alzheimer’s disease represents 60% to 70% of all dementia diagnoses, making it the most common form of dementia. Approximately two-thirds of those with AD are women.
This is not surprising, because age is the greatest known risk factor for AD, and women tend to live longer than men.
Prior studies have shown a link between both higher and lower estradiol blood levels and risk of dementia, whereas others have identified no associations.
Some studies have shown that hormone therapy after menopause can increase the risk of dementia, but others have documented a decreased risk. Similarly, cognitive decline has been linked with both longer and shorter reproductive periods.
In the study, the team focused on the association between estrogen and biomarkers for AD in cerebrospinal fluid, the clear body fluid found within the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
A group of women who were free of dementia and underwent natural menopause was followed for 25 years.
Based on the results from the cerebrospinal fluid samples, researchers concluded that a longer reproductive life was associated with increased levels of AD biomarkers in the preclinical phase of the disease.
The results suggest another factor contributing to the increased burden of Alzheimer’s disease in women. The team suggests that larger studies should be conducted to confirm these findings.
If you care about Alzheimer’s disease, please read studies about dad lifestyle habits can cause Alzheimer’s disease and findings of a new early sign of Alzheimer’s disease.
For more information about Alzheimer’s disease and your health, please see recent studies about a new way to effectively prevent Alzheimer’s disease and results showing that people with these mental issues may have Alzheimer’s disease early.
The study is published in Menopause.
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