Sex-specific associations between reproductive history and late-life cognitive outcomes

BACKGROUND: Reproductive factors have been associated with cognition in older women, yet findings have been inconsistent. Moreover, recent studies have also found similar associations in men. OBJECTIVE: Examine the relationship between reproductive and cognitive factors in both sexes, controlling for multiple covariates. METHODS: 5.37) from the HELIAD study. Participants provided reproductive, medical, and social histories and had a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment, including Mild Cognitive Impairment and dementia diagnosis. Covariates included age, education, medical, genetic, lifestyle, and socioeconomic factors. RESULTS: :1.37-2.20). After full-adjustment and Bonferroni correction, no associations remained. CONCLUSIONS: Reproductive patterns may affect cognition differentially based on sex. Moderate reproductive activity may be protective, whereas extreme patterns (e.g. very early/late childbirth, childlessness) may be linked to cognitive decline. These associations attenuate after statistical adjustment and correction, necessitating further controlled and longitudinal studies to clarify these relationships.