Stroke Key Factor in Men Progression Toward Dementia

French researchers report that stroke in men are critical factors in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

The researchers also found that risk factors varied according to gender. Men with mild cognitive impairment were more likely to be overweight, diabetic and to have had a stroke. Men who’d suffered a stroke were almost three times more likely to progress from mild cognitive impairment to dementia.

Women with mild cognitive impairment were more likely to be in poorer general health, disabled, suffering from insomnia, and to have a poor support network. Stroke was not a risk factor for women, even though both women and men had similar rates of stroke.

The study was published online in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry