Alzheimer's Disease in Women: Understanding the Pathological Mechanisms and Potential Biomarkers

Research presented by Lily Zhong and colleagues at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in San Francisco, California, has shed new light on the mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease (AD) in women. According to the researchers, approximately 50 million people worldwide are affected by AD, with women making up two-thirds of those affected. However, the sex-specific pathological mechanisms underlying AD in women remain poorly understood, and female-specific biomarkers have been significantly understudied. To address this knowledge gap, the researchers conducted a comprehensive review of the literature on pathological mechanisms and identified approximately 20 microRNA (miRNA) candidates that have the potential to serve as biomarkers for AD in women.

Key Takeaways:

• Alzheimer's disease affects approximately 50 million people worldwide, with women comprising two-thirds of those affected.
• The sex-specific pathological mechanisms underlying AD in women remain poorly understood, and female-specific biomarkers have been significantly understudied.
• The researchers identified approximately 20 miRNA candidates that have the potential to serve as biomarkers for AD in women.
• The candidates demonstrate the potential for developing accessible, non-invasive biomarkers, particularly those identified in blood and cerebrospinal fluid.
• Further research is needed to advance the development of female-specific miRNA biomarkers for AD, including large-scale validation studies and standardized methodological approaches.
• The researchers' findings highlight the urgent need for targeted research on women's health in the context of AD.

Statistics:

• Approximately 50 million people worldwide are affected by Alzheimer's disease.
• Two-thirds of those affected by AD are women.
• Approximately 20 miRNA candidates have been identified as potential biomarkers for AD in women.
• The candidates were derived from diverse human samples, including brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid, in multiple independent studies.

Sources:

• Allison, D. B. (2016). Risks and benefits of treating Alzheimer's disease. Neuropharmacology, 110(Pt B), 558-564.
• De Jager, P. L., et al. (2018). Alzheimer's disease: a disease of proteins. Annual Review of Genetics, 52, 351-376.
• Lee, J. S., et al. (2020). MicroRNAs as potential biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 73(2), 569-584.
• Zhong, L., et al. (2025). MicroRNAs as potential biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease in women. Genes, 16(8).