Alzheimer's disease in women worsen two folds faster than men diagnosed with same level of dementia, says a study presented in the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Washington.

On undergoing a surgery with general anaesthesia, cognitive abilities and day-to-day activities of women decline in a faster pace than men suggests another study presented in the conference. Another study showed that accumulation of an abnormal protein that accelerates the Alzheimer's disease is higher in women's brain than in men, according to The Washington Post.    

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Kristine Yaffe, a professor of psychiatry, neurology and epidemiology at the University of California at San Francisco, said, "The bottom line is, more and more we think there are some differences." The researcher also added, "It's not just that women are living to be older - that's true, and that drives some of this. But there's something else going on in terms of biology and environment for women compared to men that may make them at greater risk or, if they have some symptoms, may change the progression."

Dr. Katie Schenning of Oregon Health & Science University and colleagues noted that women subjected to surgery and anaesthesia had problems in memory and thinking than men no matter what type of anaesthesia they were given. Schenning and team studied about 527 people, among which 182 had undergone surgery with anaesthesia. The participants were found to have almost same education levels as well as had equally higher levels of APOE4 gene that increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease, according to NBC News.

"Overall, women had more amyloid in their brain than men," said Michael Weiner, senior author of the study at University of California at San Francisco. He also added, "What's still not clear, though, is why women's brain cells are more vulnerable than men's to Alzheimer's and other memory problems," reported NPR.

Weiner suggested that it could be because of two X chromosomes in women's gene instead of a Y present in men's gene. He also pointed out other differences in women like childbearing, lifestyle, exercise, hormones and diet. Weiner noted that if researchers find out the mechanism behind the ailment in women, it is possible to develop treatment that could halt the disease.  

TagsAlzheimer's Disease, women, Anesthesia, Amyloid plaque, Cognitive Impairment