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Open Access 01-04-2022 | Alzheimer's Disease | Original Article

Gender differences in cognitive reserve: implication for subjective cognitive decline in women

Authors: Giulia Giacomucci, Salvatore Mazzeo, Sonia Padiglioni, Silvia Bagnoli, Laura Belloni, Camilla Ferrari, Laura Bracco, Benedetta Nacmias, Sandro Sorbi, Valentina Bessi

Published in: Neurological Sciences | Issue 4/2022

Abstract

Background

Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) is a self-experienced decline in cognitive capacity with normal performance on standardized cognitive tests, showing to increase risk of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Cognitive reserve seems to influence the progression from SCD to Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and to AD. The aim of our study was to investigate gender differences in cognitive reserve evaluating how sex might modulate the role of cognitive reserve on SCD.

Methods

We included 381 SCD patients who underwent clinical evaluation, neuropsychological assessment, evaluation of premorbid intelligence by the Test di Intelligenza Breve (TIB), cognitive complaints by the Memory Assessment Clinics Questionnaire (MAC-Q), and apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotyping.

Results

The proportion between women and men was significantly different (68.7% [95% CI 63.9–73.4 vs 31.4%, 95% CI 26.6–36.0]). Women were younger than men at onset of SCD and at the baseline visit (p = 0.021), had lower years of education (p = 0.007), lower TIB scores (p < 0.001), and higher MAC-Q scores (p = 0.012). TIB was directly associated with age at onset of SCD in both women and men, while years of education was inversely associated with age at onset only in women. Multivariate analysis showed that sex influences TIB independently from years of education. TIB was directly associated with MAC-Q in men.

Conclusions

Sex interacts with premorbid intelligence and education level in influencing the age at onset and the severity of SCD. As the effect of education was different between men and women, we speculated that education might act as a minor contributor of cognitive reserve in women.

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Title: Gender differences in cognitive reserve: implication for subjective cognitive decline in women
Authors: Giulia Giacomucci
Salvatore Mazzeo
Sonia Padiglioni
Silvia Bagnoli
Laura Belloni
Camilla Ferrari
Laura Bracco
Benedetta Nacmias
Sandro Sorbi
Valentina Bessi
Publication date: 01-04-2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keywords: Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's Disease
Mild Cognitive Impairment
Published in: Neurological Sciences / Issue 4/2022
Print ISSN: 1590-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1590-3478
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-021-05644-x

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Gender differences in cognitive reserve: implication for subjective cognitive decline in women

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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