Memory performance in men declines with age, decreasing faster than women's

A recent study conducted found that men's brain performance decreases as they age, worse than their female counterparts. Published in the JAMA Neurology, the study was conducted with 1,246 participants, from ages 30 through 95 and were determined as cognitively normal. They were categorized into four groups: by sex and whether or not they carried the APOE ε4 gene, then underwent positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and memory testing. This is to suffice the study's objective of comparing the age, sex and existence of the APOE ε4 gene affecting the adult brain.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) -  Authors including Dr. Clifford R. Jack Jr. of the Mayo Clinic and Foundation, found out that men, at the age of 40, had worse memory performance than of women of the same age.

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They had also observed from their participants that men have lower hippocampal volume by the age 60. However, the researchers stated that the findings are not affected by carrying APOE ε4 gene or not at the ages although these are said to be consistent with the late-onset Alzheimer's disease model.

APOE ε4 gene is "consistently identified as a risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease and has been found to significantly lower the age of onset for this condition. It is also recognized as a risk factor for early-onset Alzheimer's disease as well," as reported on Medical News Today.

Findings state the accumulation of amyloid, the insoluble fibrous protein aggregates commonly associated to neurodegenerative disorders, is greater to APOE ε4 gene carriers than non-carriers, from the age of 70 onwards.

Unfortunately, the findings are limited that it cannot prove causation.  But the study's authors believe that it reveals compelling relationship between sex and APOE ε4 gene effects on the brain structure and performance with regards to aging.

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