WITS: Women Inflammation and Tau Study investigates novel concepts that underlie the complexities of Alzheimer's Dementia. Research is supported by funding from the National Institute of Health (NIH) and National Institute of Aging (NIA)

The Women Inflammation and Tau Study (WITS) uses brain imaging, thinking tests, biological fluid testing, and wearable technology to investigate potential biological and lifestyle factors that may contribute to Alzheimer’s-related brain changes in women. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and is a degenerative brain disease. In Alzheimer’s, changes can occur in the brain years before symptoms, such as thinking changes, present themselves.  Women represent two-thirds of Alzheimer’s disease cases and tend to show greater Alzheimer’s-related brain changes. We still don’t understand the reasons for these striking sex differences. Researchers previously attributed this uneven distribution to the typically longer lifespan of women. Emerging research is showing that sex differences in other biological factors may be responsible.