Premium
Consideration of sex and gender in Alzheimer's disease and related disorders from a global perspective
Author(s) -
Mielke Michelle M.,
Aggarwal Neelum T.,
VilaCastelar Clara,
Agarwal Puja,
ArenazaUrquijo Eider M.,
Brett Benjamin,
BrugulatSerrat Anna,
DuBose Lyndsey E.,
Eikelboom Willem S.,
Flatt Jason,
Foldi Nancy S.,
Franzen Sanne,
Gilsanz Paola,
Li Wei,
McManus Alison J.,
van Lent Debora Melo,
Milani Sadaf Arefi,
Shaaban C. Elizabeth,
Stites Shana D.,
Sundermann Erin,
Suryadevara Vidyani,
Trani JeanFrancoise,
Turner Arlener D.,
Vonk Jet M. J.,
Quiroz Yakeel T.,
Babulal Ganesh M.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1002/alz.12662
Subject(s) - dementia , psychological intervention , disease , gerontology , context (archaeology) , sex characteristics , sociocultural evolution , perspective (graphical) , medicine , psychology , psychiatry , geography , sociology , pathology , archaeology , endocrinology , artificial intelligence , anthropology , computer science
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.