New research reveals that common stressful life events—such as losing a partner, unemployment, and financial difficulties—can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by affecting brain structure and biological markers associated with dementia. Importantly, these effects vary by gender and educational background.
The study, conducted by scientists at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) and published in the journal Neurology, included 1,200 cognitively healthy participants, most of whom had a family history of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine changes in grey matter volume in the brain, alongside analyzing cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers like beta-amyloid protein, phosphorylated tau, and neurogranin—all key indicators linked to Alzheimer’s pathology.
Lead author Eleni Palpatzis, a doctoral researcher at ISGlobal, explained that changes in these biomarkers may precede Alzheimer’s symptoms by years. For instance, a reduced amyloid beta 42/40 ratio in cerebrospinal fluid—signifying increased amyloid deposition in the brain—was closely associated with the loss of a partner. This effect was notably stronger in men. Conversely, increased levels of phosphorylated tau and neurogranin, reflecting neuronal damage and loss of neural connections, were more pronounced in women following bereavement.
The study also found that these adverse effects were amplified in individuals with lower educational attainment, highlighting the moderating role of social factors. Furthermore, unemployment was linked to reduced grey matter volume predominantly in men, while economic losses had a more significant structural impact on women’s brains. These brain regions are involved in emotional and cognitive regulation, suggesting that the stress from these events may contribute to increased vulnerability to dementia.
Senior author Dr. Eider Arenaza-Urquijo noted that men may be more negatively impacted by losing a partner and unemployment due to fewer close social relationships and the heightened social stigma men face regarding joblessness. Women, on the other hand, appear more susceptible to the brain changes associated with financial difficulties, potentially because of historically lower financial security and greater economic anxiety among women, which in turn harms mental well-being.
This research underscores the complex interactions between stressful life events, brain health, gender, and education, emphasizing the need to consider social determinants in Alzheimer’s risk assessment and prevention strategies.