Sex Differences in Alzheimer's Disease Progression Offer Insights into Pathogenesis and Clinical Management

Strategic Insights -

Research at Anhui Medical University in Hefei, People's Republic of China, has explored sex differences in Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression, uncovering potential biomarkers and correlations with cognitive performance. The study, supported by the Scientific Research Project of University in Anhui Province, China, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), analyzed resting-state functional magnetic resonance images and cognitive assessments from 85 AD patients, 52 amnestic mild cognitive impairment patients, and 78 healthy controls. The findings suggest sex differences in regional white matter amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) are associated with cognitive performance and can be used for disease classification.

Key Takeaways:

  • Investigators explored sex differences in Alzheimer's disease progression, analyzing resting-state functional magnetic resonance images and cognitive assessments from 85 AD patients, 52 amnestic mild cognitive impairment patients, and 78 healthy controls.
  • The research identified sex differences in regional white matter amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF), reflecting neural activity, as a potential disease biomarker.
  • Sex x group interaction effects on WM ALFF were detected in the right superior longitudinal fasciculus (F = 20.08, p(FDR_corrected) = 0.021).
  • The study found sex differences in regional WM ALFF during AD progression were associated with cognitive performance and can be utilized for disease classification.
  • Authors Xiao Chen, Wenrui Wang, Ziwen Gao, Wei Ye, Wanqiu Zhu, Yun Lu, Ju Ma, Yongqiang Yu, Xiaoshu Li, and Shanshan Zhou contributed to the research.
  • The research was supported by the Scientific Research Project of University in Anhui Province, China, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).

Statistics:

  • 85 AD patients (36 female) participated in the study.
  • 52 amnestic mild cognitive impairment patients (23 female) were included in the analysis.
  • 78 healthy controls (43 female) were part of the study.
  • The study detected sex x group interaction effects on WM ALFF in the right superior longitudinal fasciculus (F = 20.08, p(FDR_corrected) = 0.021).
  • The research concluded sex differences in regional WM ALFF during AD progression were associated with cognitive performance across the Alzheimer's disease continuum.

Sources:

  • "Sex Differences In White Matter Amplitude of Low-frequency Fluctuation Associated With Cognitive Performance Across the Alzheimer's Disease Continuum." Journal of Alzheimers Disease, vol. 107, no. 3, 2025, pp. 1026-1037.
  • Anhui Medical University, First Affiliated Hospital, Dept. of Radiology, Hefei 230022, People's Republic of China.
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).
  • Scientific Research Project of University in Anhui Province, China.