A major UK study has established a significant link between menopause and physical changes in the brain that mirror alterations seen in Alzheimer’s disease. The research, involving data from nearly 125,000 women, provides new evidence that may help explain why women constitute approximately two-thirds of all Alzheimer’s cases in the UK.
The investigation, published in the journal Psychological Medicine, analyzed MRI brain scans from 11,000 participants. It identified a notable loss of grey matter volume in specific brain regions critical for cognitive and emotional function. These structural changes occurred in areas consistently affected by Alzheimer’s pathology.
| Affected Brain Region | Primary Function |
|---|---|
| Hippocampus | Essential for learning and long-term memory formation. |
| Entorhinal Cortex | Crucial for memory and spatial navigation. |
| Anterior Cingulate Cortex | Involved in attention, emotion regulation, and decision-making. |
Senior author Professor Barbara Sahakian from the University of Cambridge stated, “The brain regions where we saw these differences are ones that tend to be affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Menopause could make these women vulnerable further down the line.”
A key finding was that the use of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) did not appear to prevent the observed grey matter loss. The study also reported that women using HRT were more likely to experience poor mental health, although researchers noted that many had pre-existing mental health conditions prior to prescription.
Experts have emphasized the complexity of the relationship between menopause, HRT, and brain health. Professor Channa Jayasena, a hormone expert from Imperial College London, commented that the effect of HRT on the brain “continues to be a topic of debate” and deserves close attention.
While the study is observational, it underscores menopause as a neurological transition. Michelle Dyson from the Alzheimer’s Society noted that long-term tracking is required to confirm if these brain changes elevate dementia risk. She reiterated that maintained lifestyle factors, including regular exercise, not smoking, and limiting alcohol, remain important for reducing overall dementia risk.
Menopause linked to Alzheimer’s-like brain changes – BBC News