Recently, scientists have come to recognize that the factors underlying the sex gap in the prevalence of Alzheimer disease are very complex, involving both biological and sociocultural determinants. Women account for about two-thirds of Alzheimer’s cases in the U.S. and tend to live longer with dementia than men, though men face higher mortality shortly after diagnosis.
Research has focused on potential contributors as women’s exposure to sex hormones, the genes in the X chromosome, the prevalence and effect of risk factors such as hearing loss, the apolipoprotein E ε4 (APOE4) variant, and diminished cognitive reserve related to lower education levels. Because risk factors affect cognition differently across sexes, researchers argue that prevention and treatment strategies must be tailored. Experts emphasize that more sex-specific dementia research is urgently needed."
Author(s):
Rubin R. et al
References including authors:
Rubin R. Trying to Unravel Why Alzheimer Disease Is More Common in Women. JAMA. Published online September 26, 2025. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.16269