WOMEN’S DEMENTIA BLOW

ALZHEIMER’S disease is more deadly in women than men, a study reveals.

Researchers found that as well as being more at risk, women also displayed a faster deterioration in memory and thinking skills.

The analysis suggests women suffer a higher level of brain wasting, including problems with visual and verbal processing.

Professor Keith Laws, of Hertfordshire university, studied 298 cases published between 2016 and 2017 and believes the disease’s devastating impact is seen more acutely in women.

He said: “Men and women at high genetic risk of Alzheimer’s may share some resilience factors.

“However, sex-specific resilience factors also exist and may have implications for different care strategies.”

Scientists are divided as to why Alzheimer’s affects women more than men.

Some argue it is due to a reduction of oestrogen in postmenopausal women. The menopause diminishes mental functions like memory, which is then compounded by the disease.

Others think because men have traditionally spent more time in work they are equipped with greater cognitive reserve, enabling them to better resist the impact of the illness.

There are now 850,000 people living with dementia in Britain – 500,000 with Alzheimer’s, the most common form.