Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 7 million older adults in the United States as of 2025, and scientists expect this number to double by 2060. The disease affects women at a higher rate than men, and women also tend to experience a faster rate of cognitive decline.
A new study from the Mayo Clinic took a closer look at Alzheimer’s, biological sex, and the alpha-synuclein protein in relation to disease progression. Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that gets worse over time.
It affects memory, thinking, and daily functioning. While there is no cure, medications such as cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine can help with symptoms and slow cognitive decline for some people.
Additionally, newer immunotherapies can help treat early Alzheimer’s by reducing plaques . Parkinson’s disease is also a progressive neurological condition that causes movement symptoms such as tremors and stiffness.
Like Alzheimer’s, it has no cure, but medications can help manage symptoms. Although the two conditions are distinct, they share some biological similarities.
Medical News Today published a clinical update in Research Highlights on 08 Mar 2026.
The item focuses on Parkinson's protein linked to 20 times faster Alzheimer's progression in women.
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