Study shows women have higher Alzheimer's risk

Research reported at the recent Alzheimer's Association International Conference has some bad news for half of us ... the female half. Researchers concluded that women over age 65 have a greater chance of developing Alzheimer's than men.

There's more: Women who have mild cognitive impairment will see cognition decline twice as fast as men with mild impairment. In clinical trials in a test that rates from 0 to 70, men declined at a rate of 1.05 points per year. For women it was 2.3 points.

One possible reason: biology. Our brains are different. And more women have depression and stress, both of which are factors in Alzheimer's. The research isn't completely clear at this point. Other research points to the amount of amyloid in the brains of men versus women. Women have much more, and amyloid is a protein that clogs the brain.

One scary bit of research points to surgery and anesthesia and how they affect the brain. Women respond in a different way, but seniors in general are at greater risk for cognitive problems than those who had no surgery. One group of researchers learned that women experience more brain shrinkage after surgery, making simple elective surgeries something to consider.

The Alzheimer's Association website (alz.org) has a section on prevention and risk. Put "Alzheimer's risk" in the search box and you'll get a list of articles. Look for the 17-minute video called "Diet and Exercise in Alzheimer's."

Meanwhile, ask your doctor if the DASH or Mediterranean diets would be appropriate for you. Both emphasize whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and limit the amount of red meat. There's research that shows diets that are healthy for the heart also are good for the brain.

(c) 2015 King Features Synd., Inc.