Recent studies indicate that the link between different lipids and Alzheimer’s disease is particularly significant for women, often absent in men.
wretlind et al. The research focuses on gender-specific lipids associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Image credit: Wretlind et al, doi: 10.1002/alz.70512.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a severe neurodegenerative condition that is increasingly impacting people globally.
Women experience a disproportionate prevalence of AD, comprising about two-thirds of all diagnosed cases.
“Women face a higher risk of AD and are often diagnosed with the condition more frequently than men post-80 years of age,” stated Dr. Christina Legidokigley, a researcher at King’s College London.
“One of the most striking findings I noticed when examining gender differences was that healthy men and those perceived as healthy did not show variations in these lipids, whereas the situation was markedly different for women.”
“This study highlights that lipid biology in AD varies by gender and opens new avenues for investigation.”
The researchers analyzed plasma samples from 841 individuals with AD, mild cognitive impairment, and those in cognitive health, measuring brain inflammation and damage.
Utilizing mass spectrometry, they examined 700 distinct lipids in the bloodstream. Lipids comprise a diverse group of molecules.
Saturated lipids are typically deemed “unhealthy,” in contrast to unsaturated lipids that contain omega fatty acids, which are often labeled as “healthy.”
Researchers observed a substantial increase in saturated lipids among women diagnosed with Alzheimer’s compared to those in the healthy group—deemed “unhealthy lipids.”
Conversely, lipids with omega fatty acids were found to be significantly diminished in those with Alzheimer’s.
“Our findings suggest that women should ensure they are incorporating omega fatty acids into their diets.”
“However, clinical trials are crucial to determine whether changes in lipid composition can influence the biological progression of AD.”
“It has been known for some time that more women than men are diagnosed with AD,” remarks Dr. Asgaretlin, also from King’s College London.
“This remains an area for further exploration, but we managed to identify biological differences in lipids across genders in extensive cohorts and underline the significance of omega-containing lipids in the blood, which has not been previously demonstrated.”
“The results are quite striking, illustrating how these changes manifest early in life among women.”
This study was published today in Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: Journal of the Alzheimer’s Disease Association.
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Asger Wretlind et al. 2025. Lipid profiling uncovers reductions in unsaturated lipids among women with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia 21(8): E70512; doi: 10.1002/alz.70512
Source: www.sci.news
