The study, published in the journal Neurology, is the first of its kind to find a higher rate of MCI in men than women living in the same community.
MCI refers to the stage between normal forgetfulness due to aging and the development of dementia. In a Minnesota-based study that involved over 2000 people aged 70 to 89, Mayo Clinic researchers found that 19 percent of men had the memory disorder, compared to 14 percent of women.
People with MCI suffer from memory loss that does not interfere with everyday activities, and they are often aware of their forgetfulness. There is no proven treatment for it.
Researchers suggested that gender may play a role in the memory disorder; men may experience forgetfulness problems more gradually, and at an earlier age, than women.
