The Times

Grey matter loss during menopause may raise dementia risk

BBC News

Menopause linked to Alzheimer's-like brain changes

Cambridge Core

Emotional and cognitive effects of menopause and hormone replacement therapy

NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre

Menopause linked to loss of grey matter in the brain, poorer mental health and sleep disturbance

Sky News

Menopause 'triggers loss of brain matter which could explain women's higher dementia risk'

Independent

New study reveals the link between menopause and dementia

News

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New Scientist

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Metaculus

Will a partial reprogramming-based therapy receive regulatory approval for treating Alzheimers disease before January 1, 2035?

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New research by the University of Cambridge has revealed a link between the menopause and a loss of grey matter in the brain, highlighting a possible connection between the condition and the development of Alzheimer's later in life.

New research by the University of Cambridge has revealed a link between the menopause and a loss of grey matter in the brain, highlighting a possible connection between the condition and the development of Alzheimer's later in life.

The study, which involved nearly 125,000 women, found that areas within the brain associated with memory, emotion and attention — namely the hippocampus, entorhinal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex — decreased in volume following menopause.

The study, which involved nearly 125,000 women, found that areas within the brain associated with memory, emotion and attention — namely the hippocampus, entorhinal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex — decreased in volume following menopause.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), however, was not found to prevent grey matter loss in post-menopausal women, though those treated with HRT demonstrated slightly faster reaction times compared to those who were not.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), however, was not found to prevent grey matter loss in post-menopausal women, though those treated with HRT demonstrated slightly faster reaction times compared to those who were not.

Separately, post-menopausal women reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, insomnia and tiredness compared to their pre-menopausal counterparts, with the highest levels of anxiety, depression and tiredness found in the HRT study group.

Separately, post-menopausal women reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, insomnia and tiredness compared to their pre-menopausal counterparts, with the highest levels of anxiety, depression and tiredness found in the HRT study group.

The study population was drawn from the U.K. Biobank, a cohort of 502,486 men and women recruited in the U.K. between 2006 and 2010. Within this research group, the average age for menopause onset was recorded at 49.5 years, while the average age for beginning HRT treatment was 49 years.

The study population was drawn from the U.K. Biobank, a cohort of 502,486 men and women recruited in the U.K. between 2006 and 2010. Within this research group, the average age for menopause onset was recorded at 49.5 years, while the average age for beginning HRT treatment was 49 years.

Commenting on the results, the researchers said that their findings may help explain why women, who account for two-thirds of those with Alzheimer's in the U.K., are more vulnerable to the disease, while emphasizing that a healthy lifestyle may mitigate the effects of menopause.

Commenting on the results, the researchers said that their findings may help explain why women, who account for two-thirds of those with Alzheimer's in the U.K., are more vulnerable to the disease, while emphasizing that a healthy lifestyle may mitigate the effects of menopause.

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A University of Cambridge study involving nearly 125,000 women found that menopause is associated with a loss of grey matter in brain regions including the hippocampus, entorhinal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex, which are areas involved in memory, emotion and attention.

A University of Cambridge study involving nearly 125,000 women found that menopause is associated with a loss of grey matter in brain regions including the hippocampus, entorhinal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex, which are areas involved in memory, emotion and attention.

Women account for approximately two thirds of people living with Alzheimer's disease in the UK, and researchers suggest that hormonal changes during menopause may partly explain why women are at greater risk of dementia than men.

Women account for approximately two thirds of people living with Alzheimer's disease in the UK, and researchers suggest that hormonal changes during menopause may partly explain why women are at greater risk of dementia than men.

The study found that hormone replacement therapy did not appear to prevent grey matter loss in post-menopausal women, though women on HRT showed slightly faster reaction times compared to those not taking the treatment.

The study found that hormone replacement therapy did not appear to prevent grey matter loss in post-menopausal women, though women on HRT showed slightly faster reaction times compared to those not taking the treatment.

Post-menopausal women reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, insomnia and tiredness compared to pre-menopausal women. Women on HRT reported the highest levels of tiredness among all groups studied.

Post-menopausal women reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, insomnia and tiredness compared to pre-menopausal women. Women on HRT reported the highest levels of tiredness among all groups studied.

The average age of menopause onset among study participants was approximately 49.5 years, and women prescribed HRT typically began treatment around age 49, according to data from the UK Biobank cohort study conducted between 2006 and 2010.

The average age of menopause onset among study participants was approximately 49.5 years, and women prescribed HRT typically began treatment around age 49, according to data from the UK Biobank cohort study conducted between 2006 and 2010.

Researchers noted that women prescribed HRT often had pre-existing mental health symptoms before starting treatment, and emphasized that lifestyle factors such as regular exercise, not smoking and limiting alcohol can help reduce dementia risk.

Researchers noted that women prescribed HRT often had pre-existing mental health symptoms before starting treatment, and emphasized that lifestyle factors such as regular exercise, not smoking and limiting alcohol can help reduce dementia risk.

Menopause accelerates brain deterioration, shrinking critical regions like the hippocampus and anterior cingulate cortex that are vulnerable to Alzheimer's disease. This grey matter loss helps explain why women develop dementia at nearly twice the rate of men. HRT fails to prevent these structural brain changes, making lifestyle interventions the only reliable defense against cognitive decline during this vulnerable period.

Menopause accelerates brain deterioration, shrinking critical regions like the hippocampus and anterior cingulate cortex that are vulnerable to Alzheimer's disease. This grey matter loss helps explain why women develop dementia at nearly twice the rate of men. HRT fails to prevent these structural brain changes, making lifestyle interventions the only reliable defense against cognitive decline during this vulnerable period.

Starting HRT within five years of menopause reduces Alzheimer's risk by 32%, protecting brain energy production and preventing neurodegeneration during a critical transition period. Observational studies show a 22% lower dementia risk overall for HRT users. The timing matters — early intervention sustains estrogen's neuroprotective benefits before irreversible brain changes occur.

Starting HRT within five years of menopause reduces Alzheimer's risk by 32%, protecting brain energy production and preventing neurodegeneration during a critical transition period. Observational studies show a 22% lower dementia risk overall for HRT users. The timing matters — early intervention sustains estrogen's neuroprotective benefits before irreversible brain changes occur.

Menopause Linked to Brain Grey Matter Loss, Study Finds

Health

Women's health

Healthcare

HRT could prove vital in the fight against Alzheimer's in women. As research has shown, starting the treatment within five years of menopause can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's by as much as 32%, with observational studies showing a 22% lower dementia risk for all HRT users. Timing, therefore, is crucial, with early intervention offering the best chance of protecting brain function.

HRT could prove vital in the fight against Alzheimer's in women. As research has shown, starting the treatment within five years of menopause can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's by as much as 32%, with observational studies showing a 22% lower dementia risk for all HRT users. Timing, therefore, is crucial, with early intervention offering the best chance of protecting brain function.

It is evident from the University of Cambridge's study that, at best, HRT fails to prevent the structural changes to the brain that leave women more vulnerable than men to cognitive decline. At its worst, it can exacerbate certain issues. This revelation makes lifestyle interventions even more critical as the only reliable defense against diseases like Alzheimer's later in life.

It is evident from the University of Cambridge's study that, at best, HRT fails to prevent the structural changes to the brain that leave women more vulnerable than men to cognitive decline. At its worst, it can exacerbate certain issues. This revelation makes lifestyle interventions even more critical as the only reliable defense against diseases like Alzheimer's later in life.

There is a 48% chance that a partial reprogramming-based therapy will receive regulatory approval for treating Alzheimer’s disease before January 1, 2035, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 48% chance that a partial reprogramming-based therapy will receive regulatory approval for treating Alzheimer’s disease before January 1, 2035, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Menopause Linked to Brain Grey Matter Loss, Study Finds

Menopause Linked to Brain Grey Matter Loss, Study Finds

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Menopause Linked to Brain Grey Matter Loss, Study Finds

Menopause Linked to Brain Grey Matter Loss, Study Finds

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