Men’s brains shrink faster than women’s
Study: Men's brains shrink faster than women's, but women still have higher Alzheimer’s rates.
Why it matters
- Men’s brains shrink faster than women’s during aging.
- This doesn’t explain why women are more frequently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
By the numbers
- Study included over 12,500 MRI brain scans from 4,726 people.
- Scans taken an average of three years apart.
- Postcentral cortex declined by 2.0% per year in men and by 1.2% annually in women.
The big picture
- Age-related brain changes do not explain higher Alzheimer’s prevalence in women.
- Points to other possible explanations such as differences in survival or susceptibility.
What they're saying
- Clinical neuropsychologist Fiona Kumfor: Understanding healthy brain aging helps understand neurodegenerative conditions.
- Co-author Anne Ravndal: Women’s brains declining more could have explained higher Alzheimer’s prevalence.
- Amy Brodtmann: If brain changes had a role in Alzheimer’s, women would show greater decline in associated areas.
Caveats
- Study had high fullness and confidence scores.
- Potential confounding factors like alcohol use not accounted for.
What’s next
- Further research needed on other possible explanations for sex differences in Alzheimer’s prevalence.