Purpose of Review

The prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias is greater in women compared to men. We provide a review of female sex-specific risk factors across the lifecourse for cognition in older adulthood, highlighting areas that need further study.

Recent Findings

Pregnancy may affect late-life cognition, with adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline but parity providing a protective effect. Cumulative estrogen exposure, influenced by age of menarche, menopause, and exogenous estrogen use, may modify a woman’s risk for dementia. Menopause transition-associated symptoms may impact cognitive health at the time of the symptoms, but long-term effects remain unknown. As compared to natural menopause, surgical menopause seems to increase the risk for cognitive impairment.

Summary

Studies that have assessed the association between women’s reproductive health and cognition have produced conflicting results. Future studies that address these inconsistencies among diverse populations are needed to better care for women throughout their lives.

中文翻译：

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女性晚年认知风险因素的生命历程视角

审查目的

与男性相比，女性阿尔茨海默病和相关痴呆症的患病率更高。我们回顾了整个生命过程中女性特定性别风险因素对老年认知的影响，强调了需要进一步研究的领域。

最近的发现

怀孕可能会影响晚年的认知，不良妊娠结局与认知能力下降的风险增加有关，但产次提供保护作用。受初潮年龄、更年期和外源性雌激素使用影响的累积雌激素暴露可能会改变女性患痴呆症的风险。更年期过渡相关症状可能会影响出现症状时的认知健康，但长期影响仍然未知。与自然绝经相比，手术绝经似乎会增加认知障碍的风险。

概括

评估女性生殖健康与认知之间关系的研究产生了相互矛盾的结果。未来的研究需要解决不同人群之间的这些不一致性，以便在女性的一生中更好地照顾她们。