Histopathological changes of nervous tissue in women over 60 years of age with Alzheimer's disease and their relationship with menopause

Abstract

Introduction

Ageing is a natural and irreversible process that primarily manifests in older age, becoming more common after the age of 60. Currently, a significant increase has been observed in the elderly population, with forecasts indicating that this group will triple in size over the next 50 years. This phenomenon is evident in several countries, including Japan, Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia, where the growing population of older adults is accompanied by an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. Studies have shown differences in the onset and progression of the disease between men and women, highlighting menopause and hormonal factors as key determinants in women. An association has been identified between a lower exposure to endogenous oestrogens and a higher risk of dementia in women, linked to the action of the enzyme β-secretase (BACE1), which is involved in the formation of amyloid aggregates associated with Alzheimer's disease. These findings highlight the importance of thoroughly investigating and understanding the impact of ageing and related diseases on the current and future population.

Objective

This study aims to describe the histopathological changes in nervous tissue in women over 60 years of age with Alzheimer's disease and their relationship to menopause.

Methodology

A comprehensive search was conducted in databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Frontiers, Scopus, and Springer.

Results

Two hundred thirteen articles were selected for review and 45 full articles were chosen.

Conclusions

Alzheimer's disease is characterised by a progressive loss of cognitive function due to brain lesions, including the accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques and neuronal apoptosis. Hormonal changes during menopause may contribute to the onset of the disease.