Menopause Linked To Alzheimer's-like Brain Changes

The menopause is linked to changes successful nan encephalon akin to those seen successful Alzheimer's, according to a ample UK study.

The nonaccomplishment of grey matter successful areas progressive pinch representation and emotion mightiness partially explicate why women are mostly astatine greater consequence of dementia than men, researchers speculate.

The findings travel from astir 125,000 women, of whom 11,000 had MRI encephalon scans.

In nan study, published successful nan diary Psychological Medicine, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) usage did not look to forestall nan grey matter loss.

Prof Barbara Sahakian, elder writer and from Cambridge University, said: "The encephalon regions wherever we saw these differences are ones that thin to beryllium affected by Alzheimer's disease.

"Menopause could make these women susceptible further down nan line. While not nan full story, it whitethorn thief explicate why we spot almost doubly arsenic galore cases of dementia successful women than successful men."

The encephalon changes occurred in:

• an area which has a awesome domiciled successful learning and representation - nan hippocampus
• a region basal for forming memories and spatial navigation - nan entorhinal cortex
• a portion which helps pinch attraction and regulating emotions - nan anterior cingulate cortex

White matter and grey matter are some basal parts of nan encephalon and spinal cord.

Grey matter consists of neuronal compartment bodies and their dendrites - short protrusions that pass pinch neurons nearby.

White matter consists of agelong axons of neurons that transmit impulses to much distant regions of nan encephalon and spinal cord.

According to guidelines for nan NHS, HRT tin beryllium considered for menopausal symptoms specified arsenic slumber problems and basking flushes.

There is constricted knowing of nan effects of menopause and HRT usage connected nan brain, representation and mood, opportunity nan researchers.

The study recovered women connected HRT were much apt to suffer mediocre intelligence health. But galore of those already had poorer intelligence wellness earlier being prescribed nan medication.

Co-researcher Dr Christelle Langley said it was important to recognise nan assortment of struggles that tin travel pinch menopause.

"We each request to beryllium much delicate to not only nan physical, but besides nan intelligence wellness of women during menopause.

"There should beryllium nary embarrassment successful letting others cognize what you're going done and asking for help."

Michelle Dyson from nan Alzheimer's Society said women relationship for astir two-thirds of group surviving pinch Alzheimer's illness successful nan UK.

"And while we still don't afloat understand why they are much susceptible than men, it is thought that hormones whitethorn play a role," she said.

"This ample study adds to grounds showing really menopause impacts nan brain, including beingness changes specified arsenic nonaccomplishment of encephalon volume.

"But without semipermanent subordinate tracking, to cheque if they later create dementia, we cannot beryllium judge that these encephalon changes associated pinch menopause besides summation dementia risk."

She said getting regular exercise, not smoking and limiting intoxicant intake tin thief trim nan consequence of dementia.