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Women slide into dementia faster than men

New research shows women slide into dementia faster than men. Photo: Getty


Women who develop memory defects and mental decline slip faster towards dementia than men, new research has found.

A new study presented to the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Washington used cognitive test scored from nearly 400 participants who were mostly in their 70s. After controlling variables, scientists found that the test scores of women fell by an average of two points per year, compared to one point for men.

Women’s quality of life – from how they performed at home, work and with family – also fell faster than men.

While women tended to decline faster than men, researchers could find no medical explanation why: “All we can say at this point is that there appears to be a faster trajectory for women than men,” in the direction of dementia, lead study author P. Murali Doraiswamy told the New York Times.

More: The surprising link between your mood and dementia

Currently, around 300,000 Australians suffer from dementia, with 1 in 13 under the age of 65. To delay the onset of dementia, experts recommend staying engaged through mental activities, socially through involvement in the community and living an overall healthy lifestyle.


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