RISK FACTORS FOR COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT,GENDER CHARACTERISTICS. LITERARY REVIEW.

Abstract

Background: Cognitive decline in old age ranges from normal age-related changes at the mildest degree, mild cognitive
impairment, to dementia at its most severe. Dementia has a significant impact on the individual and society, and even a
relatively moderate decline in cognitive functions can cause a significant level of functional changes and reduce the quality of
life. In order to somehow mitigate the decline in cognitive functions, it is necessary to know its causes. Gender differences in
cognitive decline can provide vital information about various risk factors, pathogenesis and, most importantly, treatment.
Aim: To review international research on gender differences in risk factors for cognitive impairment.
Search strategy: Sources were searched in databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, MedLine, PubMed, Cochrane
Library, Google Scholar. The search depth was 15 years (2005-2020). Inclusion criteria: literature reviews, original articles,
meta-analyzes; publications in open access and with full text in english and russian. Exclusion criteria: publications of low
methodological quality, conference proceedings. We included 44 publications in this review.
Results and Conclusions: International studies show the impact of gender differences on cognitive functioning. It was
found that the number of cases of moderate cognitive impairment per year in men was higher than in women. Men, on the
other hand, had a higher incidence of mild cognitive impairment. An important difference between women and men was the significantly higher representation of the depression indicator. Women are at greater risk of developing dementia associated
with Alzheimer's disease, whereas men are at greater risk of developing vascular dementia.