Investigation of common risk factors between polycystic ovary syndrome and Alzheimer's disease

Abstract The most common endocrine disorder among women is Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), characterized by hyperandrogenism, chronic ovulation, and/or ultrasound evidence of small ovarian cysts. Obesity and insulin resistance are also the main factors influencing the clinical manifestations of this syndrome. High intakes of fat have been linked to more significant cognitive decline in old age, and due to the growing elderly population, maintaining long-term optimal cognitive function is very important. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most typical progressive neurodegenerative disorder of the brain, and recent studies suggest a relationship between endocrinal dysregulation and neuronal loss during AD pathology. In this narrative review, the international databases, including Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases, were searched for retrieving the relevant studies. According to the factors involved in Alzheimer's and PCOS, it seems that both disorders may share some common risk factors. In this study, the relevant studies' summaries were categorized to discuss the possible pathways that may explain the association between Alzheimer's and PCOS signs/symptoms and complications. Future preclinical studies are needed to investigate the exact underlining mechanisms related to PCOS and Alzheimer's association.