Introduction: The Intersection of Sex, Vasculature, and Neurodegeneration
The global burden of dementia continues to rise, necessitating a deeper understanding of the modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors that drive cognitive impairment. While age and the Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele remain the most potent risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, the role of vascular health—specifically blood pressure—has emerged as a critical target for prevention. However, a significant gap remains in our understanding of how biological sex influences the relationship between vascular metrics and long-term cognitive outcomes. A recent analysis of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, published in the Lancet Regional Health Americas, provides compelling evidence that women may be disproportionately affected by the synergy of vascular risk and genetic predisposition.
