Number of people living together in Canada Dementia including Alzheimer’s diseaseis increasing rapidly, especially among women. Women are at particular risk of developing dementia later in life for a variety of biological, hormonal, and social reasons. In 2020, Estimated 61.8% Women made up the majority of people living with dementia in Canada. It is predicted that by 2050, more than one million women in Canada will be living with dementia.

“The majority of Alzheimer’s disease occurs in women,” says a leading brain health researcher. Dr. Alison Secularpresident and chief scientist of the Baycrest Academy of Research and Education. “It’s partly because women live longer than men, but there’s actually more to it than that.”

Understanding the various factors that contribute to the increased risks women face is critical for all women, said Secular, who is also a principal investigator at the Center for Aging and Brain Health Innovation. With the right tools and knowledge, we can all work to improve our brain health.

Why are women at higher risk of dementia?

The latest data for 2023 shows that the average life expectancy for men in Canada is 79.6 years, compared to 84 years for women. Age is one of the biggest risk factors for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, so the older a woman gets, the higher her risk of cognitive decline.

However, biological factors beyond age are involved. Women also face a higher genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease. of Hormonal changes that occur during menopauseA rapid decrease in estrogen can contribute to the following symptoms: Neuroinflammatory processes that can cause cell death.

Women’s unique gender experiences have an impact as well.

“Women are often exposed to different types of stressors than men, such as caregiving,” Secular said. “The primary caregivers in families, including those living with dementia, are often women, and we know that if you are caring for someone living with dementia, your risk of developing dementia itself can be up to six times higher.”

This is not because dementia is contagious; Being a caregiver comes with a certain amount of stress raise it Levels of glucocorticoids such as cortisol This can affect memory acquisition. Additionally, caregiving leaves women unable to properly care for themselves.

“If you’re the primary caregiver, it’s probably also harder to eat well, exercise the way you need to, and sleep well.”

Risk factors for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease

There are currently at least 14 modifiable risk factors for both men and women that, if addressed, could prevent or delay nearly half of all dementia cases worldwide. The Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care has updated its report. List of modifiable risk factors every few years after considering the latest scientific evidence from around the world.

Risk factors that can be modified include:

9. excessive alcohol intake

These risk factors can damage blood vessels, promote inflammation, cause structural changes in the brain, and increase cortisol levels, placing additional stress on the brain. Injury, inflammation, and stress all increase the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.

All of these factors are very important, but some are more likely to affect women than men, Secular said. Early childhood education is one of them.

Which modifiable risk factors for dementia affect women more than men?

Education is critical to brain health throughout life, but especially during brain development in childhood. Depending on the country of birth, girls are less likely to have access to high-quality education during childhood, which can affect their risk of dementia later in life.

“Canada is very multicultural, with people coming from all over the world, so some women may have had fewer opportunities to receive high-level education early in life. We know that early-level education is very important,” she said.

Depression is another important factor, especially for women, as it is a risk factor and sometimes an early signal of dementia. and rates of depression. It is higher for women.

When it comes to the importance of exercise, what’s best for postmenopausal women is different than what’s best for men. Cardiovascular exercise is important, but Secular said of women: especially after menopauseyou should focus on resistance training to build muscle.

Although sleep is not thought to be a factor, Secular said sleep is very important because lack of sleep can reduce the quality of sleep. increase risk such as obesity and depression. plus, Sleep disorders are very common during perimenopause and menopause.

“During sleep, your body basically goes through a process of clearing debris from your brain,” she says. “If you can’t get into deep sleep, your body isn’t doing the job it needs to heal.”

How to keep your brain healthy

It’s important to take care of your brain all This is because the brain changes associated with dementia often begin 20 to 30 years before symptoms appear. Secular emphasized the importance of building your cognitive reserve throughout your life, by trying to learn new things and challenging your brain in different ways.

You should also avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and focus on eating well, sleeping well, and exercising. It also means continuing to make time for social interactions, hobbies and creative activities, even if you are a caregiver.

“If you’re doing something good for your heart, it’s good for your brain. And if you’re doing something good for your soul, it’s good for your brain,” Secular says. “Living a good life has a positive effect on the brain.”

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