Sex differences in the association of mild behavioral impairment with cognitive aging

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to explore sex differences in the association of mild behavioral impairment (MBI) with the level of cognitive performance and its rate of decline in a cohort of people without dementia with the longest term follow-up of cognition. METHODS: We studied 8,181 older adults enrolled in the online PROTECT UK Study. MBI was assessed using the MBI Checklist and cognition was measured by digit span, paired associate learning, spatial working memory and verbal reasoning. Statistical analysis was conducted using linear regression models and linear mixed-effects models. RESULTS: Males exhibited more often symptoms of decreased motivation, impulse dyscontrol and social inappropriateness, while less often symptoms of emotional dysregulation. The associations of MBI domains with some measures of cognitive performance and decline was stronger in males than females, with the exception of emotional dysregulation. DISCUSSION: MBI may influence cognition to a greater extent in males than in females.