New Delhi, May 17
High midlife stress may increase the chances of Alzheimer's disease in women after their menopause, according to a study.
Scientists at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, in the US, discovered that high levels of the stress hormone cortisol in midlife can increase amyloid deposition -- a hallmark of Alzheimer's -- in postmenopausal women later.
"The results highlight the importance of identifying early risk factors when biomarkers are detectable but cognitive impairment is absent," said Arash Salardini, Associate Professor at the varsity.
In the study, published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia, the team analysed data from 305 cognitively unimpaired participants in Massachusetts, US.
By comparing midlife cortisol levels at the beginning of a 15-year period with disease indicators at the end, the researchers were able to determine that those levels could serve as an Alzheimer's disease biomarker.
No significant associations were observed in males or with tau burden, referring to the tau protein that contributes to neuronal dysfunction and death.
"Our work shows that considering sex and hormonal status in understanding Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis is important and suggests that stress reduction and hormonal interventions may hold promise for Alzheimer's prevention, especially in at-risk women," said Sudha Seshadri, from UT Health San Antonio.
Cortisol is a steroid hormone essential for cellular homeostasis, or balance, and the stress response.