Menopause, which marks a major turning point in the life of women with hot flashes, mood shifts, and sleep disturbances, can also bring changes in the brain that are similar to those seen in Alzheimer’s, according to a new study. The findings of research published in the journal Psychological Medicine say the loss of grey matter in areas involved with memory and emotion might partly explain why women are generally at greater risk of dementia than men.
The findings come from nearly 125,000 women, of whom 11,000 had MRI brain scans. For the study, hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, use did not appear prevent the grey matter loss.
“The brain regions where we saw these differences tend to be affected by Alzheimer's disease,” said Prof Barbara Sahakian, senior author from Cambridge University. “Menopause could make these women vulnerable further down the line. While not the whole story, it may help explain why we see almost twice as many cases of dementia in women than in men,” she added.
At the heart of this link is estrogen, a hormone that plays a much bigger role than reproduction alone. It helps support:
Increased beta-amyloid plaque buildup, which is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease
While according to various health experts, HRT can be considered for menopausal symptoms like sleep issues and hot flushes, there is not much understanding of the effects of menopause and HRT use on the brain, memory, and mood, say the researchers.
The study found women on HRT were more likely to suffer poor mental health. But many of those already had poorer mental health before being prescribed the medication.
Nearly two-thirds of Alzheimer’s patients across the world are women. While longer life expectancy has often been cited as the reason, scientists now believe biology may also play a critical role. The menopausal transition appears to influence:
Also read:Hrithik Roshan Says His Eye Power Reduced by Half: Does Vision Improvement Really Happen Naturally?
Menopause influences the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, but it is not what may drive your health. There are many preventive strategies that you can follow, which include:
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
