A groundbreaking study recently published in Science Translational Medicine reveals, for the first time, sex differences in human vascular aging linked to brain degeneration and cognitive impairment. Led by Fanny Elahi, MD, PhD, a renowned physician-scientist at Mount Sinai, the research identifies specific blood markers that predict cognitive decline and vary significantly between men and women.
The key findings are summarized below:
- Sex-Specific Biomarkers: The study uncovers unique biomarkers that influence cognitive decline differently in women and men
- Vascular Aging: Dysfunctional blood vessel plasticity and growth, or aberrant angiogenesis, emerges as a critical factor in age-related cognitive decline, with distinct patterns observed in each sex.
- Complex interactions: The research emphasizes the importance of considering sex and age interactions in clinical research to develop a holistic understanding of disease progression and indicates the need for true lifespan studies. Women and men age differently and taking sex into account will be critical to understanding women’s increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
By highlighting the impact of sex on vascular aging and dementia, this study offers a promising avenue for developing targeted therapies and prevention strategies.