Biological and Clinical Implications of Sex-Specific Differences in Alzheimer's Disease.

Mounting evidence indicates that the female sex is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia worldwide. Decades of research suggest that sex-specific differences in genetics, environmental factors, hormones, comorbidities, and brain structure and function may contribute to AD development. However, although significant progress has been made in uncovering specific genetic factors and biological pathways, the precise mechanisms underlying sex-biased differences are not fully characterized. Here, we review several lines of evidence, including epidemiological, clinical, and molecular studies addressing sex differences in AD. In addition, we discuss the challenges and future directions in advancing personalized treatments for AD.