Researchers have identified sex-specific lipid differences that may contribute to the higher incidence of Alzheimer’s disease among women. A study analyzing plasma samples from 841 participants found that women with Alzheimer’s disease had lower levels of unsaturated lipids, including omega fatty acids, compared to cognitively healthy women. In contrast, men showed no significant differences in lipid profiles between those with Alzheimer’s and without the condition.
The study, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, suggests that sex-specific lipid biology may play a role in the disparity in Alzheimer’s diagnoses between men and women. The findings may help explain why more women are diagnosed with the disease than men.
Researchers recommend increasing omega-3 fatty acid intake through diet or supplements for women at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. However, further clinical trials are needed to determine if shifting lipid composition can influence disease progression.
The study used mass spectrometry to analyze plasma samples from participants in the AddNeuroMed biomarker cohort and Dementia Case Register cohorts in Europe and England. The results indicate that 37 lipids were significantly associated with Alzheimer’s disease in women compared to controls, including large, highly unsaturated triglycerides that may be reduced by dietary supplementation.
The study highlights the importance of sex-specific research and emphasizes the need for further investigation into the biological differences between men and women when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease.
Source: https://www.medpagetoday.com/neurology/alzheimersdisease/117073