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Study: Alzheimer's Tests May Fail Women, Delay Diagnosis

4/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

Georgia State University researchers warn standard Alzheimer's screening tools may miss brain changes in women.
Women account for nearly two-thirds of Alzheimer's cases in the United States.
The study, published in Brain Communications, finds women score well on the Mini-Mental State Examination despite brain damage.
Researchers analyzed MRI scans and found that men show shrinkage, while women experience a more significant decline after mild cognitive impairment is detected, delaying diagnosis.

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Story summary

Georgia State University researchers warn standard Alzheimer's screening tools may miss brain changes in women.
Women account for nearly two-thirds of Alzheimer's cases in the United States.
The study, published in Brain Communications, finds women score well on the Mini-Mental State Examination despite brain damage.
Researchers analyzed MRI scans and found that men show shrinkage, while women experience a more significant decline after mild cognitive impairment is detected, delaying diagnosis.