Sex differences in in vivo tau neuropathology in a multiethnic sample of late middle-aged adults

Neurobiol Aging. 2021 Jul:103:109-116. doi: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.03.007. Epub 2021 Mar 23.

Abstract

It is unclear whether women have higher brain tau pathology. The objective of this study was to examine whether women have higher tau burden than men, and whether tau differences are independent of amyloid β (Aβ) burden. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of a multiethnic sample of 252 nondemented late middle-aged (mean age: 64.1 years) adults with tau and amyloid Positron Emission Tomography (PET) data. Tau burden was measured as global standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) in the middle/inferior temporal gyri and medial temporal cortex with 18F-MK-6240 PET. Aβ was measured as global SUVR with 18F-Florbetaben PET. Women had higher middle/inferior temporal gyri tau SUVR compared to men. However, no sex differences in the medial temporal cortex were observed. Women had higher brain Aβ SUVR compared to men. Continuous Aβ SUVR was positively correlated with medial temporal cortex and middle/inferior temporal gyri tau SUVR. However, there was no evidence of effect modification by Aβ SUVR on sex and tau. Compared with men, women in late middle age show higher tau burden, independent of Aβ.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Epidemiology; Neuroimaging; Sex differences.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuroimaging
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Sex Characteristics*
  • Sex Factors
  • Tauopathies / diagnosis*
  • Tauopathies / epidemiology
  • Temporal Lobe / diagnostic imaging
  • Temporal Lobe / metabolism*
  • tau Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Biomarkers
  • tau Proteins