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Introduction: Evidence on sex differences in the risk for dementia has been mixed. The goal was to assess sex differences in the development of dementia, and in the effects of a lifestyle intervention. Methods: Two strategies were adopted, one using combined data from three large Nordic population‐based cohort studies (n = 2289), adopting dementia as outcome, and 2‐year multidomain lifestyle intervention (n = 1260), adopting cognitive change as outcome. Results: There was higher risk for dementia after age 80 years in women. The positive effects of the lifestyle intervention on cognition did not significantly differ between men and women. Sex‐specific analyses suggested that different vascular, lifestyle, and psychosocial risk factors are important for women and men in mid‐ and late‐life. Conclusion: Women had higher risk for dementia among the oldest individuals. Lifestyle interventions may be effectively implemented among older men and women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Stroke, especially ischemic stroke's (IS) link with Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains unclear. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 2459 AD‐ and cerebrovascular disease‐free older adults at baseline (mean age 71.9 ± 10.3 years, Stockholm, Sweden). Using Cox regressions, shared risk factors (SRFs) and shared protective factors (SPFs) between AD and IS were recognized when their hazard ratios in both AD and IS models were significant and in the same direction. Results: During the follow‐up period of up to 15 years, 132 AD and 260 IS mutually exclusive cases were identified. SRFs were low education, sedentary lifestyle, and heart diseases. High levels of psychological well‐being, actively engaging in leisure activities, and a rich social network were SPFs. Having ≥1 SPF reduced 47% of AD and 28% of IS risk among people with a low risk profile (<2 SRFs), and 38% of AD and 31% of IS risk with a high risk profile (≥2 SRFs). In total, 57.8% of AD/IS cases could be prevented if individuals have ≥1 SPF and no SRF. Discussion: AD and IS share risk/protective profiles, and SPFs seem to counteract the adverse effects of SRFs on both AD and IS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The impact of prediabetes and diabetes on stroke and the development of dementia after a stroke remain unclear. Methods: A total of 2655 dementia‐free participants (including a stroke‐free cohort and a prevalent stroke cohort) were followed‐up for 12 years. Dementia and post‐stroke dementia were determined by clinical examinations and national registry data. Diabetes was ascertained via medical examination, medication use, medical records, or glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥6.5%. Prediabetes was defined as HbA1c ≥5.7% in diabetes‐free participants. Results: In the stroke‐free cohort, 236 participants developed ischemic stroke, and 47 developed post‐stroke dementia. Diabetes was associated with ischemic stroke (hazard ratio [HR] 1.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16 to 2.67) and post‐stroke dementia (HR 2.56, 95% CI 1.04 to 6.25). In the prevalent stroke cohort, diabetes was also related to dementia risk. Prediabetes was not significantly related to stroke or post‐stroke dementia. Discussion: Diabetes, but not prediabetes, is associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke and post‐stroke dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]