The Metabolic Syndrome and Development of Cognitive Impairment Among Older Women

Abstract

The lifetime risk of dementia is 33% for women and 20% for men, and lifetime risks for milder forms of cognitive impairment are even higher.¹ During the next 50 years, the incidence and prevalence of Alzheimer disease (AD) and other forms of dementia are expected to double in people aged 75 to 85 years and to quadruple in those older than 85 years, highlighting the importance of prevention.² Cardiovascular disease risk modification is a promising avenue for preventive strategies. It is widely accepted that cardiovascular risk factors play a role in the development of AD and vascular dementia. Hypertension,^3,4 hyperlipidemia,^5-7 obesity,^6,8 diabetes mellitus,^9,10 and impaired glucose tolerance^10,11 have all been shown to be related to cognitive decline and risk of dementia.