Do men experience memory issues differently than women? A recent study analyzes cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s risk in older adults, revealing potential gender-related differences in memory and neurological problems.
Guys often joke that they’re more prone to memory issues and cognitive decline than women. But is there any truth to this? Does science back this up? Apparently, as we age, conditions related to cognitive decline, like memory loss due to strokes and other neurological problems, might show up differently in men compared to women. (Here are some tips to improve your memory)
That’s what a recent study presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s annual meeting in Chicago found. Researchers involved in the study looked at cognitive differences between men and women.
The researchers pointed out that women tend to excel in age-related tasks. As people get older, certain aspects of their lives are naturally affected. For women, some of these age-related changes might be more noticeable in certain areas, like remembering where they parked the car or forgetting to turn off the gas at home. However, for more complex memory tasks, such as remembering appointments or important details, women tend to handle them better. So, what does this say about how these cognitive differences might lead to issues down the road?
These individuals showed moderate cognitive differences, which could make them three times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s compared to others. This aligns with what the researchers suggested—that Alzheimer’s affects thinking, speech, understanding, memory, and even movement.
However, these findings don’t mean that everyone with moderate cognitive differences will get Alzheimer’s.
The researchers were able to reach these conclusions by studying over 2,000 participants between the ages of 70 and 89. The experiment started in 2004, and the researchers collected information from all participants every 15 months.
After collecting and analyzing all the data, the researchers found the following:
- 74% of participants had normal cognitive and mental abilities.
- 16% of participants suffered from moderate cognitive differences.
- 10% of participants suffered from dementia.
- Men were more prone to dementia with moderate cognitive and memory issues than women by about 1.67 times.
- The results were similar in some ways to common academic, educational, and social status factors.
According to the researchers, these findings align with previous claims that women are more prone to Alzheimer’s than men, or that the disease develops differently in women compared to men.
However, according to Dr. Sam Gandy, a leading Alzheimer’s physician, both men and women can improve their lifestyles to reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Following his recommendations includes adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle, in addition to engaging in activities that contribute to mental, social, and physical well-being for both genders.
FAQ
Are men really more likely to have memory problems as they age?
While some studies suggest men might show cognitive decline differently than women, it’s not a definitive yes. Lifestyle and genetics play huge roles too.
What kind of memory tasks are we talking about?
Simple things like where you parked your car, or more complex things like remembering appointments.
Is there anything I can do to reduce my risk of memory problems?
Absolutely! A healthy diet, staying active, and keeping your mind engaged can all make a big difference.
