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Espinoza MT, Blümel JE, Chedraui P, Vallejo MS, Ñañez M, Ojeda E, Rey C, Rodríguez D, Rodrigues MA, Salinas C, Tserotas K, Calle A, Dextre M, Elizalde A, Escalante C, Gómez-Tabares G, Monterrosa-Castro Á. Association between type of menopause and mild cognitive impairment: The REDLINC XII study. Maturitas 2024; 189:108110. [PMID: 39226623 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2024.108110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between type of menopause (spontaneous or surgical) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). STUDY DESIGN This study was a cross-sectional, observational, and sub-analytical investigation conducted within gynecological consultations across nine Latin American countries. METHOD We assessed sociodemographic, clinical, and anthropometric data, family history of dementia, and the presence of MCI using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) tool. RESULTS The study involved 1185 postmenopausal women with a mean age of 55.3 years and a body mass index of 26.4 kg/m2. They had an average of 13.3 years of education, and 37 % were homemakers. Three hundred ninety-nine experienced menopause before 40, including 136 with surgical menopause (bilateral oophorectomy). Out of the 786 women who experienced menopause at 40 or more years, 110 did so due to bilateral oophorectomy. There were no differences in MoCA scores among women who experienced menopause before or after the age of 40. However, lower MoCA scores were observed in women with surgical menopause than in those with spontaneous menopause (23.8 ± 4.9 vs. 25.0 ± 4.3 points, respectively, p < 0.001). Our logistic regression model with clustering of patients within countries found a significant association between MCI and surgical menopause (OR 1.47, 95 % CI: 1.01-2.16), use (ever) of menopausal hormone therapy (OR 0.33, 95 % CI: 0.21-0.50), and having >12 years of education (OR 0.21, 95 % CI: 0.14-0.30). CONCLUSION When comparing women who experience spontaneous menopause over the age of 40 with those who undergo it before this age, there was no observed increased risk of developing MCI, while those with surgical menopause, independent of age, are more prone to cognitive decline. Women who have ever used menopausal hormone therapy have a lower MCI risk. Further research is warranted to delve deeper into this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- María T Espinoza
- Unidad de Ginecología Obstétrica, Clínica Los Ángeles, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Juan E Blümel
- Medicina Interna Sur, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Peter Chedraui
- Escuela de Posgrado en Salud, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Samborondón, Ecuador
| | - María S Vallejo
- Obstetricia y Ginecología, Hospital Clínico, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mónica Ñañez
- II Cátedra de Ginecología, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Eliana Ojeda
- Departamento Académico de Medicina Humana, Universidad Andina del Cusco, Cusco, Peru
| | - Claudia Rey
- Asociación Argentina para el Estudio del Climaterio, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Doris Rodríguez
- Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcio A Rodrigues
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Carlos Salinas
- Servicio de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Hospital Ángeles, Puebla, Mexico
| | | | - Andrés Calle
- Centro Integral de Salud Obstétrica y Femenina. Ginecología, Universidad Indoamérica, Academia Ecuatoriana de Medicina, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Maribel Dextre
- Ginecología Obstetricia, Clínica Internacional - Clínica Javier Prado, Lima, Peru
| | - Alejandra Elizalde
- Departamento de la Mujer, Niñez y Adolescencia, Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Carlos Escalante
- Departamento de Ginecología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica
| | - Gustavo Gómez-Tabares
- Departamento de Ginecología, Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Salud, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia.
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Simmons N, Ruiz MR, Ronca F. Perimenopausal Physical Activity and Dementia Risk: A Systematic Review. Int J Sports Med 2024; 45:637-658. [PMID: 38626907 PMCID: PMC11296877 DOI: 10.1055/a-2307-8122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Mixed-gender studies predominate in the current literature exploring the interaction between physical activity and dementia risk. Considering that menopause appears to contribute to females' increased risk of cognitive decline when compared to males, further clarity is required on the impact of physical activity in reducing late-life dementia risk, specifically in perimenopausal females. A literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, SCOPUS and CINAHL databases yielded fourteen studies for review. A significant inverse relationship between perimenopausal leisure time physical activity, or physical fitness, and future all-cause dementia risk was found in most studies exploring this interaction. Higher levels of perimenopausal household physical activity and combined non-leisure time physical activity also displayed a favorable impact in lowering dementia risk. A dose-response effect was demonstrated, with approximately 10 MET-hour/week of leisure time physical activity required for significant dementia risk reduction. Three of four papers exploring causality provided analyses proposed to counter the reverse causation argument, suggesting that physical activity may indeed have a protective role in reducing dementia risk post-menopause. The current systematic review provides promising results regarding the impact of pre- and perimenopausal physical activity on reducing late-life dementia risk, suggesting that promoting perimenopausal physical activity may serve as a crucial tool in mitigating the risk of post-menopausal cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niall Simmons
- Medicine, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Miguel Rodriguez Ruiz
- Medicine, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford,
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Flaminia Ronca
- Institute of Sport Exercise and Health, UCL, London, United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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3
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Salinero AE, Abi-Ghanem C, Venkataganesh H, Sura A, Smith RM, Thrasher CA, Kelly RD, Hatcher KM, NyBlom V, Shamlian V, Kyaw NR, Belanger KM, Gannon OJ, Stephens SBZ, Zuloaga DG, Zuloaga KL. Treatment with brain specific estrogen prodrug ameliorates cognitive effects of surgical menopause in mice. Horm Behav 2024; 164:105594. [PMID: 38917776 PMCID: PMC11330726 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Menopause is an endocrine shift leading to increased vulnerability for cognitive impairment and dementia risk factors, in part due to loss of neuroprotective circulating estrogens. Systemic replacement of estrogen post-menopause has limitations, including risk for estrogen-sensitive cancers. A promising therapeutic approach therefore might be to deliver estrogen only to the brain. We examined whether we could enhance cognitive performance by delivering estrogen exclusively to the brain in ovariectomized mice (a surgical menopause model). We treated mice with the prodrug 10β,17β-dihydroxyestra-1,4-dien-3-one (DHED), which can be administered systemically but is converted to 17β-estradiol only in the brain. Young and middle-aged C57BL/6 J mice received ovariectomy and subcutaneous implant containing vehicle or DHED and underwent cognitive testing to assess memory after 1-3.5 months of treatment. Low and medium doses of DHED did not alter metabolic status in middle-aged mice. In both age groups, DHED treatment improved spatial memory in ovariectomized mice. Additional testing in middle-aged mice showed that DHED treatment improved working and recognition memory in ovariectomized mice. These results lay the foundation for future studies determining if this intervention is as efficacious in models of dementia with comorbid risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail E Salinero
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Charly Abi-Ghanem
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Harini Venkataganesh
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Avi Sura
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Rachel M Smith
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Christina A Thrasher
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Richard D Kelly
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Katherine M Hatcher
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Vanessa NyBlom
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY 12208, USA; Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience Research, State University of New York at Albany, 1400 Washington Ave, Biology 325, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Victoria Shamlian
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Nyi-Rein Kyaw
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Kasey M Belanger
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Olivia J Gannon
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Shannon B Z Stephens
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Damian G Zuloaga
- Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience Research, State University of New York at Albany, 1400 Washington Ave, Biology 325, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Kristen L Zuloaga
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
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Arenaza‐Urquijo EM, Boyle R, Casaletto K, Anstey KJ, Vila‐Castelar C, Colverson A, Palpatzis E, Eissman JM, Kheng Siang Ng T, Raghavan S, Akinci M, Vonk JMJ, Machado LS, Zanwar PP, Shrestha HL, Wagner M, Tamburin S, Sohrabi HR, Loi S, Bartrés‐Faz D, Dubal DB, Vemuri P, Okonkwo O, Hohman TJ, Ewers M, Buckley RF. Sex and gender differences in cognitive resilience to aging and Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement 2024; 20:5695-5719. [PMID: 38967222 PMCID: PMC11350140 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Sex and gender-biological and social constructs-significantly impact the prevalence of protective and risk factors, influencing the burden of Alzheimer's disease (AD; amyloid beta and tau) and other pathologies (e.g., cerebrovascular disease) which ultimately shape cognitive trajectories. Understanding the interplay of these factors is central to understanding resilience and resistance mechanisms explaining maintained cognitive function and reduced pathology accumulation in aging and AD. In this narrative review, the ADDRESS! Special Interest Group (Alzheimer's Association) adopted a multidisciplinary approach to provide the foundations and recommendations for future research into sex- and gender-specific drivers of resilience, including a sex/gender-oriented review of risk factors, genetics, AD and non-AD pathologies, brain structure and function, and animal research. We urge the field to adopt a sex/gender-aware approach to resilience to advance our understanding of the intricate interplay of biological and social determinants and consider sex/gender-specific resilience throughout disease stages. HIGHLIGHTS: Sex differences in resilience to cognitive decline vary by age and cognitive status. Initial evidence supports sex-specific distinctions in brain pathology. Findings suggest sex differences in the impact of pathology on cognition. There is a sex-specific change in resilience in the transition to clinical stages. Gender and sex factors warrant study: modifiable, immune, inflammatory, and vascular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eider M. Arenaza‐Urquijo
- Environment and Health Over the Life Course Programme, Climate, Air Pollution, Nature and Urban Health ProgrammeBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)BarcelonaSpain
- University of Pompeu FabraBarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Rory Boyle
- Massachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Kaitlin Casaletto
- Department of NeurologyMemory and Aging CenterUniversity of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Kaarin J. Anstey
- University of New South Wales Ageing Futures InstituteSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Neuroscience Research AustraliaSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- School of Psychology, University of New South WalesSidneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | | | - Aaron Colverson
- University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine Interdisciplinary Research LabUniversity of Florida, Center of Arts in MedicineGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Eleni Palpatzis
- Environment and Health Over the Life Course Programme, Climate, Air Pollution, Nature and Urban Health ProgrammeBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)BarcelonaSpain
- University of Pompeu FabraBarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Jaclyn M. Eissman
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Department of NeurologyVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
- Vanderbilt Genetics InstituteVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Ted Kheng Siang Ng
- Rush Institute for Healthy Aging and Department of Internal MedicineRush University Medical CenterChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | | | - Muge Akinci
- Environment and Health Over the Life Course Programme, Climate, Air Pollution, Nature and Urban Health ProgrammeBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)BarcelonaSpain
- University of Pompeu FabraBarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Jet M. J. Vonk
- Department of NeurologyMemory and Aging CenterUniversity of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Luiza S. Machado
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, FarroupilhaPorto AlegreBrazil
| | - Preeti P. Zanwar
- Jefferson College of Population Health, Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
- The Network on Life Course and Health Dynamics and Disparities, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Maude Wagner
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical CenterChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Stefano Tamburin
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement SciencesUniversity of VeronaVeronaItaly
| | - Hamid R. Sohrabi
- Centre for Healthy AgeingHealth Future InstituteMurdoch UniversityMurdochWestern AustraliaAustralia
- School of Psychology, Murdoch UniversityMurdochWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Samantha Loi
- Neuropsychiatry Centre, Royal Melbourne HospitalParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - David Bartrés‐Faz
- Department of MedicineFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences & Institut de NeurociènciesUniversity of BarcelonaBarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques (IDIBAPS)BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorehabilitació adscrit a la Universitat Autónoma de BarcelonaBadalonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Dena B. Dubal
- Department of Neurology and Weill Institute of NeurosciencesUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
- Biomedical and Neurosciences Graduate ProgramsUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Ozioma Okonkwo
- Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and Department of MedicineUniversity of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public HealthMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Timothy J. Hohman
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Department of NeurologyVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
- Vanderbilt Genetics InstituteVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Michael Ewers
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia ResearchKlinikum der Universität MünchenLudwig Maximilians Universität (LMU)MunichGermany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE, Munich)MunichGermany
| | - Rachel F. Buckley
- Massachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
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Mensegere A, Singh S, Stezin A, Sundarakumar JS, Issac TG. Effect of early menopause on cognition and brain morphology in an Urban Indian Cohort. Alzheimers Dement 2024; 20:5607-5616. [PMID: 38946683 PMCID: PMC11350013 DOI: 10.1002/alz.14069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence for the effect of early menopause on cognition among older women is not consistent and is scant among the Indian population. METHODS We aimed to examine the effect of early menopause (≤45 years) on cognitive performance and brain morphology among older dementia-free females of the TLSA cohort using a multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS In a sample of 528 women, 144 (27%) had early menopause. The linear regression analysis showed that women with early menopause performed poorly in cognition and had lesser total gray matter volume [β = -11973.94, p = 0.033], left middle frontal [β = -353.14, p = 0.033], and left superior frontal [β = -460.97, p < 0.026] volume. CONCLUSION Dementia-free women with early menopause had poorer cognition, lower total gray matter, and frontal lobe. More research is needed to explore the link between earlier menopause and cognitive decline and develop ways to address it. HIGHLIGHTS Evidence on the effect of early menopause on brain morphology is inconsistent and scant in low and middle-income countries, such as India. In a cohort of dementia-free individuals in urban Bangalore, we observed that participants with early menopause had significantly lower cognitive performance and lower total gray matter and frontal lobe volume. We recommend increasing awareness of this fact among the medical community and the general public. There is an urgent need to explore the underlying biological mechanism and to discover effective interventions to mitigate the effect.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sadhana Singh
- Centre for Brain ResearchIIScBangaloreKarnatakaIndia
| | - Albert Stezin
- Centre for Brain ResearchIIScBangaloreKarnatakaIndia
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Ambikairajah A, Khondoker M, Morris E, de Lange AG, Saleh RNM, Minihane AM, Hornberger M. Investigating the synergistic effects of hormone replacement therapy, apolipoprotein E and age on brain health in the UK Biobank. Hum Brain Mapp 2024; 45:e26612. [PMID: 38339898 PMCID: PMC10836173 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Global prevalence of Alzheimer's Disease has a strong sex bias, with women representing approximately two-thirds of the patients. Yet, the role of sex-specific risk factors during midlife, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and their interaction with other major risk factors for Alzheimer's Disease, such as apolipoprotein E (APOE)-e4 genotype and age, on brain health remains unclear. We investigated the relationship between HRT (i.e., use, age of initiation and duration of use) and brain health (i.e., cognition and regional brain volumes). We then consider the multiplicative effects of HRT and APOE status (i.e., e2/e2, e2/e3, e3/e3, e3/e4 and e4/e4) via a two-way interaction and subsequently age of participants via a three-way interaction. Women from the UK Biobank with no self-reported neurological conditions were included (N = 207,595 women, mean age = 56.25 years, standard deviation = 8.01 years). Generalised linear regression models were computed to quantify the cross-sectional association between HRT and brain health, while controlling for APOE status, age, time since attending centre for completing brain health measure, surgical menopause status, smoking history, body mass index, education, physical activity, alcohol use, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, vascular/heart problems and diabetes diagnosed by doctor. Analyses of structural brain regions further controlled for scanner site. All brain volumes were normalised for head size. Two-way interactions between HRT and APOE status were modelled, in addition to three-way interactions including age. Results showed that women with the e4/e4 genotype who have used HRT had 1.82% lower hippocampal, 2.4% lower parahippocampal and 1.24% lower thalamus volumes than those with the e3/e3 genotype who had never used HRT. However, this interaction was not detected for measures of cognition. No clinically meaningful three-way interaction between APOE, HRT and age was detected when interpreted relative to the scales of the cognitive measures used and normative models of ageing for brain volumes in this sample. Differences in hippocampal volume between women with the e4/e4 genotype who have used HRT and those with the e3/e3 genotype who had never used HRT are equivalent to approximately 1-2 years of hippocampal atrophy observed in typical health ageing trajectories in midlife (i.e., 0.98%-1.41% per year). Effect sizes were consistent within APOE e4/e4 group post hoc sensitivity analyses, suggesting observed effects were not solely driven by APOE status and may, in part, be attributed to HRT use. Although, the design of this study means we cannot exclude the possibility that women who have used HRT may have a predisposition for poorer brain health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananthan Ambikairajah
- Discipline of Psychology, Faculty of HealthUniversity of CanberraCanberraAustralian Capital TerritoryAustralia
- Centre for Ageing Research and Translation, Faculty of HealthUniversity of CanberraCanberraAustralian Capital TerritoryAustralia
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population HealthAustralian National UniversityCanberraAustralian Capital TerritoryAustralia
| | | | | | - Ann‐Marie G. de Lange
- Department of Clinical NeurosciencesLausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Rasha N. M. Saleh
- Norwich Medical SchoolUniversity of East AngliaNorwichUK
- Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Faculty of MedicineAlexandria UniversityAlexandriaEgypt
| | - Anne Marie Minihane
- Norwich Medical SchoolUniversity of East AngliaNorwichUK
- Norwich Institute of Healthy AgeingNorwichUK
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Fernández‐Pena A, Navas‐Sánchez FJ, de Blas DM, Marcos‐Vidal L, Desco M, Carmona S. Previous pregnancies might mitigate cortical brain differences associated with surgical menopause. Hum Brain Mapp 2024; 45:e26538. [PMID: 38063284 PMCID: PMC10789212 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Surgical menopause causes a sharp drop in estrogen levels in middle-aged women, thus preventing the gradual physiological adaptation that is characteristic of the perimenopause. Previous studies suggest that surgical menopause might increase the risk of dementia later in life. In addition, the transition to motherhood entails long-lasting endocrine and neuronal adaptations. We compared differences in whole-brain cortical volume between women who reached menopause by surgery and a group of women who reached spontaneous non-surgical menopause and determined whether these cortical differences were influenced by previous childbearing. Using surface-based neuroimaging techniques, we investigated cortical volume differences in 201 middle-aged women (134 women who experienced non-surgical menopause, 78 of whom were parous women; and 67 women who experienced surgical menopause, 39 of whom were parous women). We found significant atrophy in the frontal and temporal regions in women who experienced surgical menopause. Nulliparous women with surgical menopause showed significant lower cortical volume in the left temporal gyrus extending to the medial temporal lobe cortex, as well as in the precuneus bilaterally compared to parous women with surgical menopause; whereas our results revealed no significant differences between parous women with surgical menopause and both parous and nulliparous women who reached a non-surgical menopause. Furthermore, in the surgical menopause group, we found a negative correlation between cortical volume and age at first pregnancy in the temporal lobe. Our study suggests that the long-term brain remodeling of parity may mitigate the neural impact of the sudden drop in estrogen levels that characterizes surgical menopause.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Fernández‐Pena
- Departamento de BioingenieríaUniversidad Carlos III de MadridMadridSpain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio MarañónMadridSpain
- CIBER de Salud MentalInstituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadridSpain
| | | | - Daniel Martín de Blas
- Departamento de BioingenieríaUniversidad Carlos III de MadridMadridSpain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio MarañónMadridSpain
- CIBER de Salud MentalInstituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadridSpain
| | - Luis Marcos‐Vidal
- Departamento de BioingenieríaUniversidad Carlos III de MadridMadridSpain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio MarañónMadridSpain
- CIBER de Salud MentalInstituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadridSpain
| | - Manuel Desco
- Departamento de BioingenieríaUniversidad Carlos III de MadridMadridSpain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio MarañónMadridSpain
- CIBER de Salud MentalInstituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadridSpain
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC)MadridSpain
| | - Susanna Carmona
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio MarañónMadridSpain
- CIBER de Salud MentalInstituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadridSpain
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Matina SS, Mendenhall E, Cohen E. Women´s experiences of menopause: A qualitative study among women in Soweto, South Africa. Glob Public Health 2024; 19:2326013. [PMID: 38497205 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2024.2326013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Women today are experiencing menopause for decades more than in previous generations. This 'change of life' is defined by an entire stage of physical, hormonal, and emotional changes that accompany menstrual irregularity and the cessation of fertility, although limited medical research has focused on it. Yet, the inevitability of menopause is universal for all human females around 50 years old. In this article, we conducted twenty-five 20-60 min semi-structured qualitative interviews. Most women marked menopause by fertility cessation and social transition to old age, pushing back against a medical framework of menopause that emphasises hormonal deficiency and becoming disordered. In contrast, women frame menopause as a natural process that contributes to a critical social role transition, which they perceive as deeply private in part because it is associated with a reduction in femininity, sexuality, and power. On the other hand, menopause was also described as a liberating process through which women no longer needed to purchase pads or manage blood loss. Recognising how women may perceive menopause not as a deficit or disorder but as a social role transition that has both costs and benefits is useful for medical practitioners when discussing clinical options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sostina Spiwe Matina
- SA MRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Emily Mendenhall
- SA MRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Emmanuel Cohen
- Eco-Anthropologie (EA), Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Université Paris-Cité, Musée de l'Homme, Paris, France
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Han SL, Liu DC, Tan CC, Tan L, Xu W. Male- and female-specific reproductive risk factors across the lifespan for dementia or cognitive decline: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Med 2023; 21:457. [PMID: 37996855 PMCID: PMC10666320 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-03159-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex difference exists in the prevalence of dementia and cognitive decline. The impacts of sex-specific reproductive risk factors across the lifespan on the risk of dementia or cognitive decline are still unclear. Herein, we conducted this systemic review and meta-analysis to finely depict the longitudinal associations between sex-specific reproductive factors and dementia or cognitive decline. METHODS PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched up to January 2023. Studies focused on the associations of female- and male-specific reproductive factors with dementia or cognitive decline were included. Multivariable-adjusted effects were pooled via the random effect models. Evidence credibility was scored by the GRADE system. The study protocol was pre-registered in PROSPERO and the registration number is CRD42021278732. RESULTS A total of 94 studies were identified for evidence synthesis, comprising 9,839,964 females and 3,436,520 males. Among the identified studies, 63 of them were included in the meta-analysis. According to the results, seven female-specific reproductive factors including late menarche (risk increase by 15%), nulliparous (11%), grand parity (32%), bilateral oophorectomy (8%), short reproductive period (14%), early menopause (22%), increased estradiol level (46%), and two male-specific reproductive factors, androgen deprivation therapy (18%), and serum sex hormone-binding globulin (22%) were associated with an elevated risk of dementia or cognitive decline. CONCLUSIONS These findings potentially reflect sex hormone-driven discrepancy in the occurrence of dementia and could help build sex-based precise strategies for preventing dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang-Ling Han
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital Group, Qingdao University, Donghai Middle Road, No.5, Qingdao, 266000, China
- Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, China
| | - De-Chun Liu
- Department of Obstetrics, Qingdao Municipal Hospital Group, Qingdao, 266000, China
| | - Chen-Chen Tan
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital Group, Qingdao University, Donghai Middle Road, No.5, Qingdao, 266000, China
| | - Lan Tan
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital Group, Qingdao University, Donghai Middle Road, No.5, Qingdao, 266000, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital Group, Qingdao University, Donghai Middle Road, No.5, Qingdao, 266000, China.
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10
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Gervais NJ, Gravelsins L, Brown A, Reuben R, Perovic M, Karkaby L, Nicoll G, Laird K, Ramana S, Bernardini MQ, Jacobson M, Velsher L, Foulkes W, Rajah MN, Olsen RK, Grady C, Einstein G. Disturbed sleep is associated with reduced verbal episodic memory and entorhinal cortex volume in younger middle-aged women with risk-reducing early ovarian removal. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1265470. [PMID: 37859979 PMCID: PMC10584319 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1265470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Women with early ovarian removal (<48 years) have an elevated risk for both late-life Alzheimer's disease (AD) and insomnia, a modifiable risk factor. In early midlife, they also show reduced verbal episodic memory and hippocampal volume. Whether these reductions correlate with a sleep phenotype consistent with insomnia risk remains unexplored. Methods We recruited thirty-one younger middleaged women with risk-reducing early bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO), fifteen of whom were taking estradiol-based hormone replacement therapy (BSO+ERT) and sixteen who were not (BSO). Fourteen age-matched premenopausal (AMC) and seventeen spontaneously peri-postmenopausal (SM) women who were ~10y older and not taking ERT were also enrolled. Overnight polysomnography recordings were collected at participants' home across multiple nights (M=2.38 SEM=0.19), along with subjective sleep quality and hot flash ratings. In addition to group comparisons on sleep measures, associations with verbal episodic memory and medial temporal lobe volume were assessed. Results Increased sleep latency and decreased sleep efficiency were observed on polysomnography recordings of those not taking ERT, consistent with insomnia symptoms. This phenotype was also observed in the older women in SM, implicating ovarian hormone loss. Further, sleep latency was associated with more forgetting on the paragraph recall task, previously shown to be altered in women with early BSO. Both increased sleep latency and reduced sleep efficiency were associated with smaller anterolateral entorhinal cortex volume. Discussion Together, these findings confirm an association between ovarian hormone loss and insomnia symptoms, and importantly, identify an younger onset age in women with early ovarian removal, which may contribute to poorer cognitive and brain outcomes in these women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole J. Gervais
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Laura Gravelsins
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alana Brown
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rebekah Reuben
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mateja Perovic
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Laurice Karkaby
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gina Nicoll
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kazakao Laird
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Shreeyaa Ramana
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Marcus Q. Bernardini
- Cancer Clinical Research Unit, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michelle Jacobson
- Cancer Clinical Research Unit, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lea Velsher
- Genetics Program, North York General Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - William Foulkes
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Lady Davis Institute, Segal Cancer Centre, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - M. Natasha Rajah
- Departments of Psychiatry and Douglas Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rosanna K. Olsen
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Cheryl Grady
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gillian Einstein
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Tema Genus, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Women’s College Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
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11
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Zangirolami-Raimundo J, Raimundo RD, Silva Noll PRE, Dos Santos WS, Leone C, Baracat EC, Sorpreso ICE, Soares Júnior JM. Postmenopausal women's cognitive function and performance of virtual reality tasks. Climacteric 2023; 26:445-454. [PMID: 36999579 DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2023.2190511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess whether prior knowledge of computer use determines performance of virtual reality tasks by postmenopausal women and whether menopausal symptoms, sociodemographic factors, lifestyle and cognition modify or interfere with their performance. METHOD This cross-sectional study included 152 postmenopausal women divided into two groups: computer users and non-users. Age, ethnicity, time of menopause, menopausal symptoms, female health status, level of physical activity and cognitive function were considered. The participants played a virtual reality game and were assessed for hits, errors, omissions and game time. The Mann-Whitney, chi-square and Fisher exact tests and multivariate linear regression analysis were used. RESULTS Postmenopausal computer users play virtual reality games (p = 0.005) better than postmenopausal non-users of computers. Vasomotor symptoms were high in women who used computers compared to those who did not (p = 0.006). Multivariate linear regression analysis found that the best-fitting predictors for the number of hits - that is, age (p = 0.039), Mini-Mental State Examination score (p = 0.006) and the headache symptom (p = 0.021) - influence the performance of virtual reality tasks. CONCLUSION Computer users performed virtual reality tasks better than non-users. Headache and age but not vasomotor symptoms negatively affected the postmenopausal women's performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Zangirolami-Raimundo
- Disciplina de Ginecologia, Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Centro Universitário FMABC, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - R D Raimundo
- Disciplina de Ginecologia, Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Centro Universitário FMABC, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - P R E Silva Noll
- Disciplina de Ginecologia, Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - W S Dos Santos
- Disciplina de Ginecologia, Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Centro Universitário FMABC, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - C Leone
- Centro Universitário FMABC, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - E C Baracat
- Disciplina de Ginecologia, Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - I C E Sorpreso
- Disciplina de Ginecologia, Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - J M Soares Júnior
- Disciplina de Ginecologia, Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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12
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Zhang X, Huangfu Z, Wang S. Review of mendelian randomization studies on age at natural menopause. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1234324. [PMID: 37766689 PMCID: PMC10520463 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1234324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Menopause marks the end of the reproductive phase of life. Based on epidemiological studies, abnormal age at natural menopause (ANM) is thought to contribute to a number of adverse outcomes, such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. However, the causality of these associations remains unclear. A powerful epidemiological method known as Mendelian randomization (MR) can be used to clarify the causality between ANM and other diseases or traits. The present review describes MR studies that included ANM as an exposure, outcome and mediator. The findings of MR analyses on ANM have revealed that higher body mass index, poor educational level, early age at menarche, early age at first live birth, early age at first sexual intercourse, and autoimmune thyroid disease appear to be involved in early ANM etiology. The etiology of late ANM appears to be influenced by higher free thyroxine 4 and methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene mutations. Furthermore, early ANM has been found to be causally associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis, fracture, type 2 diabetes mellitus, glycosylated hemoglobin, and the homeostasis model of insulin resistance level. In addition, late ANM has been found to be causally associated with an increased systolic blood pressure, higher risk of breast cancer, endometrial cancer, endometrioid ovarian carcinoma, lung cancer, longevity, airflow obstruction, and lower risk of Parkinson's disease. ANM is also a mediator for breast cancer caused by birth weight and childhood body size. However, due to the different instrumental variables used, some results of studies are inconsistent. Future studies with more valid genetic variants are needed for traits with discrepancies between MRs or between MR and other types of epidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, China
- Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhao Huangfu
- Department of Urology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shaowei Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, China
- Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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13
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Hao W, Fu C, Dong C, Zhou C, Sun H, Xie Z, Zhu D. Age at menopause and all-cause and cause-specific dementia: a prospective analysis of the UK Biobank cohort. Hum Reprod 2023; 38:1746-1754. [PMID: 37344154 PMCID: PMC10663050 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Are there associations between natural or surgical menopause and incident dementia by age at menopause? SUMMARY ANSWER Compared to age at menopause of 46-50 years, earlier natural menopause (≤40 and 41-45 years) was related to higher risk of all-cause dementia, while a U-shape relationship was observed between age at surgical menopause and risk of dementia. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Menopause marks the end of female reproductive period. Age at menopause reflects the length of exposure to endogenous estrogen. Evidence on the association between age at natural, surgical menopause, and risk of dementia has been inconsistent. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A population-based cohort study involving 160 080 women who participated in the UK Biobank study. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Women with no dementia at baseline, and had no missing data on key exposure variables and covariates were included. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs on the association of categorical menopause age with incident all-cause dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD). Restricted cubic splines were used to model the non-linear relationship between continuous age at natural, surgical menopause, and risk of dementia. In addition, we analyzed the interaction effect of ever-used menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) at baseline, income level, leisure activities, and age at menopause on risk of dementia. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Compared to women with age at menopause of 46-50 years, women with earlier natural menopause younger than 40 years (1.36, 1.01-1.83) and 41-45 years (1.19, 1.03-1.39) had a higher risk of all-cause dementia, while late natural menopause >55 years was linked to lower risk of dementia (0.83, 0.71-0.98). Compared to natural menopause, surgical menopause was associated with 10% higher risk of dementia (1.10, 0.98-1.24). A U-shape relationship was observed between surgical menopause and risk of dementia. Women with surgical menopause before age 40 years (1.94, 1.38-2.73) and after age 55 years (1.65, 1.21-2.24) were both linked to increased risk of all-cause dementia. Women with early natural menopause without ever taking MHT at baseline had an increased risk of AD. Also, in each categorized age at the menopause level, higher income level or higher number of leisure activities was linked to a lowers risk of dementia. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Menopausal age was based on women's self-report, which might cause recall bias. WIDER IMPLICATION OF THE FINDINGS Women who experienced natural menopause or had surgical menopause at an earlier age need close monitoring and engagement for preventive health measures to delay the development of dementia. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This work was supported by the Start-up Foundation for Scientific Research in Shandong University (202099000066), Science Fund Program for Excellent Young Scholars of Shandong Provence (Overseas) (2022HWYQ-030), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82273702). There are no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Hao
- Centre for Health Management and Policy Research, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- NHC Key Lab of Health Economics and Policy Research, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Chunying Fu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Caiyun Dong
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Chunmiao Zhou
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Huizi Sun
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ziwei Xie
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Dongshan Zhu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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14
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Salinero AE, Abi-Ghanem C, Venkataganesh H, Sura A, Smith RM, Thrasher CA, Kelly RD, Hatcher KM, NyBlom V, Shamlian V, Kyaw NR, Belanger KM, Gannon OJ, Stephens SB, Zuloaga DG, Zuloaga KL. Brain Specific Estrogen Ameliorates Cognitive Effects of Surgical Menopause in Mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.09.552687. [PMID: 37609180 PMCID: PMC10441397 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.09.552687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Menopause is a major endocrinological shift that leads to an increased vulnerability to the risk factors for cognitive impairment and dementia. This is thought to be due to the loss of circulating estrogens, which exert many potent neuroprotective effects in the brain. Systemic replacement of estrogen post-menopause has many limitations, including increased risk for estrogen-sensitive cancers. A more promising therapeutic approach therefore might be to deliver estrogen only to the brain thus limiting adverse peripheral side effects. We examined whether we could enhance cognitive performance by delivering estrogen exclusively to the brain in post-menopausal mice. We modeled surgical menopause via bilateral ovariectomy (OVX). We treated mice with the pro-drug 10β,17β-dihydroxyestra-1,4-dien-3-one (DHED), which can be administered systemically but is converted to 17β-estradiol only in the brain. Young (2.5-month) and middle-aged (11-month-old) female C57BL/6J mice received ovariectomy and a subcutaneous implant containing vehicle (cholesterol) or DHED. At 3.5 months old (young group) and 14.5 months old (middle-aged group), mice underwent behavior testing to assess memory. DHED did not significantly alter metabolic status in middle-aged, post-menopausal mice. In both young and middle-aged mice, the brain-specific estrogen DHED improved spatial memory. Additional testing in middle-aged mice also showed that DHED improved working and recognition memory. These promising results lay the foundation for future studies aimed at determining if this intervention is as efficacious in models of dementia that have comorbid risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail E. Salinero
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue; MC-136, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Charly Abi-Ghanem
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue; MC-136, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Harini Venkataganesh
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue; MC-136, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Avi Sura
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue; MC-136, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Rachel M. Smith
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue; MC-136, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Christina A. Thrasher
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue; MC-136, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Richard D. Kelly
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue; MC-136, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Katherine M. Hatcher
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue; MC-136, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Vanessa NyBlom
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue; MC-136, Albany, NY, USA
- Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience Research, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Victoria Shamlian
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue; MC-136, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Nyi-Rein Kyaw
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue; MC-136, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Kasey M. Belanger
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue; MC-136, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Olivia J. Gannon
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue; MC-136, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Shannon B.Z. Stephens
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue; MC-136, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Damian G. Zuloaga
- Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience Research, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Kristen L. Zuloaga
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue; MC-136, Albany, NY, USA
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15
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Cortés YI, Cai J, Daviglus M, Gallo LC, Lamar M, Isasi CR, Perreira KM. Reproductive period duration and cognitive function in postmenopausal Latina women in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL). Maturitas 2023; 174:23-29. [PMID: 37224791 PMCID: PMC10832364 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2023.04.270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES A shorter reproductive period, a marker of estrogen exposure, has been related to cognitive impairment among older (>65 years) non-Hispanic White women. We explored whether reproductive period duration, age at menarche, and age at menopause are related to cognitive function among postmenopausal Hispanic/Latina women. METHODS This cross-sectional analysis used baseline (Visit 1: 2008-2011) data from 3630 postmenopausal women in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. Reproductive period duration, age at menarche, and age at menopause were assessed by self-report. Cognitive function variables included global cognition, verbal learning, memory, verbal fluency, and processing speed. Associations between each reproductive event and cognitive function were examined using multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses accounting for the complex survey design of the study and adjusting for socio-demographics, parity, and cardiovascular risk factors. We assessed whether associations differed by type of menopause (natural versus surgical) and hormone therapy use. RESULTS The study population was on average aged 59 years, with a mean reproductive period duration of 35 years. Older age at menopause and a longer reproductive period were related to higher verbal learning (β = 0.04, SE = 0.02; p < 0.05) and processing speed (ß = 0.16, SE = 0.04; p < 0.001); associations were more pronounced for women with natural menopause. Older age at menarche was associated with lower scores on the digit symbol substitution test (ß = -0.62, SE = 0.15; p < 0.0001). There were no associations with global cognition. CONCLUSION Among postmenopausal Hispanic/Latinas, a longer reproductive period was related to more favorable cognitive measures of verbal learning and processing speed. Our findings support the hypothesis that greater lifetime exposure to estrogens may be associated with higher cognitive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yamnia I Cortés
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing, Carrington Hall Campus Box 7460, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Jianwen Cai
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Public Health, 135 Dauer Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Martha Daviglus
- Institute for Minority Health Research, The University of Illinois College of Medicine, 1737 West Polk Street, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Linda C Gallo
- Department of Psychology and South Bay Latino Research Center, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Melissa Lamar
- Institute for Minority Health Research, The University of Illinois College of Medicine, 1737 West Polk Street, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, 17590 W Harrison Street, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Carmen R Isasi
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology & Population Health, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
| | - Krista M Perreira
- Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, MacNider Hall Campus Box, 724, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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16
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Lankester J, Li J, Salfati ELI, Stefanick ML, Chan KHK, Liu S, Crandall CJ, Clarke SL, Assimes TL. Genetic evidence for causal relationships between age at natural menopause and the risk of ageing-associated adverse health outcomes. Int J Epidemiol 2023; 52:806-816. [PMID: 36409989 PMCID: PMC10244052 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyac215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A later age at natural menopause (ANM) has been linked to several ageing-associated traits including an increased risk of breast and endometrial cancer and a decreased risk of lung cancer, osteoporosis and Alzheimer disease. However, ANM is also related to several proxies for overall health that may confound these associations. METHODS We investigated the causal association of ANM with these clinical outcomes using Mendelian randomization (MR). Participants and outcomes analysed were restricted to post-menopausal females. We conducted a one-sample MR analysis in both the Women's Health Initiative and UK Biobank. We further analysed and integrated several additional data sets of post-menopausal women using a two-sample MR design. We used ≤55 genetic variants previously discovered to be associated with ANM as our instrumental variable. RESULTS A 5-year increase in ANM was causally associated with a decreased risk of osteoporosis [odds ratio (OR) = 0.80, 95% CI (0.70-0.92)] and fractures (OR = 0.76, 95% CI, 0.62-0.94) as well as an increased risk of lung cancer (OR = 1.35, 95% CI, 1.06-1.71). Other associations including atherosclerosis-related outcomes were null. CONCLUSIONS Our study confirms that the decline in bone density with menopause causally translates into fractures and osteoporosis. Additionally, this is the first causal epidemiological analysis to our knowledge to find an increased risk of lung cancer with increasing ANM. This finding is consistent with molecular and epidemiological studies suggesting oestrogen-dependent growth of lung tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Lankester
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Jin Li
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Thermofisher Scientific, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Elias Levy Itshak Salfati
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Marcia L Stefanick
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kei Hang Katie Chan
- Departments of Biomedical Sciences and Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
- Center for Global Cardiometabolic Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Simin Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Department of Medicine & Department of Surgery, Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Carolyn J Crandall
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shoa L Clarke
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Themistocles L Assimes
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
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17
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Liao H, Cheng J, Pan D, Deng Z, Liu Y, Jiang J, Cai J, He B, Lei M, Li H, Li Y, Xu Y, Tang Y. Association of earlier age at menopause with risk of incident dementia, brain structural indices and the potential mediators: a prospective community-based cohort study. EClinicalMedicine 2023; 60:102033. [PMID: 37396803 PMCID: PMC10314163 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background To date, there is no homogeneous evidence of whether earlier age at menopause is associated with incident dementia. In addition, the underlying mechanism and driven mediators are largely unknown. We aimed to fill these knowledge gaps. Methods This community-based cohort study included 154,549 postmenopausal women without dementia at enrolment (between 2006 and 2010) from the UK Biobank who were followed up until June 2021. We followed up until June 2021. Age at menopause was entered as a categorical variable (<40, 40-49, and ≥50 years) with ≥50 years taken as a reference. The primary outcome was all-cause dementia in a time-to-event analysis and the secondary outcomes included Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and other types of dementia. In addition, we investigated the association between magnetic resonance (MR) brain structure indices with earlier menopause, and explored the potential underlying driven mediators on the relationship between earlier menopause and dementia. Findings 2266 (1.47%) dementia cases were observed over a median follow-up period of 12.3 years. After adjusting for confounders, women with earlier menopause showed a higher risk of all-cause dementia compared with those ≥50 years (adjusted-HRs [95% CIs]: 1.21 [1.09-1.34] and 1.71 [1.38-2.11] in the 40-49 years and <40 years groups, respectively; P for trend <0.001). No significant interactions between earlier menopause and polygenic risk score, cardiometabolic factors, type of menopause, or hormone-replacement therapy strata were found. Earlier menopause was negatively associated with brain MR global and regional grey matter indices, and positively associated with white matter hyperintensity. The relationship between earlier menopause and dementia was partially mediated by menopause-related comorbidities including sleep disturbance, mental health disorder, frailty, chronic pain, and metabolic syndrome, with the proportion (95% CI) of mediation effect being 3.35% (2.18-5.40), 1.38% (1.05-3.20), 5.23% (3.12-7.83), 3.64% (2.88-5.62) and 3.01% (2.29-4.40), respectively. Multiple mediator analysis showed a combined effect being 13.21% (11.11-18.20). Interpretation Earlier age at menopause was associated with risk of incident dementia and deteriorating brain health. Further studies are warranted to clarify the underlying mechanisms by which earlier age at menopause is linked to an increased risk of dementia, and to determine public health strategies to attenuate this association. Funding National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Science and Technology Program of Guangzhou, the Key Area Research and Development Program of Guangdong Province, the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, and the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanquan Liao
- Department of Neurology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Neurology, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jinping Cheng
- Department of Neurology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dong Pan
- Department of Neurology, the Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhenhong Deng
- Department of Neurology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Neurology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingru Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinhua Cai
- Department of Neurology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Baixuan He
- Department of Neurology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ming Lei
- Department of Neurology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Honghong Li
- Department of Neurology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Neurology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongteng Xu
- Department of Neurology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yamei Tang
- Department of Neurology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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18
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Gannon OJ, Naik JS, Riccio D, Mansour FM, Abi-Ghanem C, Salinero AE, Kelly RD, Brooks HL, Zuloaga KL. Menopause causes metabolic and cognitive impairments in a chronic cerebral hypoperfusion model of vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia. Biol Sex Differ 2023; 14:34. [PMID: 37221553 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-023-00518-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The vast majority of women with dementia are post-menopausal. Despite clinical relevance, menopause is underrepresented in rodent models of dementia. Before menopause, women are less likely than men to experience strokes, obesity, and diabetes-known risk factors for vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID). During menopause, ovarian estrogen production stops and the risk of developing these dementia risk factors spikes. Here, we aimed to determine if menopause worsens cognitive impairment in VCID. We hypothesized that menopause would cause metabolic dysfunction and increase cognitive impairment in a mouse model of VCID. METHODS We performed a unilateral common carotid artery occlusion surgery to produce chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and model VCID in mice. We used 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide to induce accelerated ovarian failure and model menopause. We evaluated cognitive impairment using behavioral tests including novel object recognition, Barnes maze, and nest building. To assess metabolic changes, we measured weight, adiposity, and glucose tolerance. We explored multiple aspects of brain pathology including cerebral hypoperfusion and white matter changes (commonly observed in VCID) as well as changes to estrogen receptor expression (which may mediate altered sensitivity to VCID pathology post-menopause). RESULTS Menopause increased weight gain, glucose intolerance, and visceral adiposity. VCID caused deficits in spatial memory regardless of menopausal status. Post-menopausal VCID specifically led to additional deficits in episodic-like memory and activities of daily living. Menopause did not alter resting cerebral blood flow on the cortical surface (assessed by laser speckle contrast imaging). In the white matter, menopause decreased myelin basic protein gene expression in the corpus callosum but did not lead to overt white matter damage (assessed by Luxol fast blue). Menopause did not significantly alter estrogen receptor expression (ERα, ERβ, or GPER1) in the cortex or hippocampus. CONCLUSIONS Overall, we have found that the accelerated ovarian failure model of menopause caused metabolic impairment and cognitive deficits in a mouse model of VCID. Further studies are needed to identify the underlying mechanism. Importantly, the post-menopausal brain still expressed estrogen receptors at normal (pre-menopausal) levels. This is encouraging for any future studies attempting to reverse the effects of estrogen loss by activating brain estrogen receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia J Gannon
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Janvie S Naik
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - David Riccio
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Febronia M Mansour
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Charly Abi-Ghanem
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Abigail E Salinero
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Richard D Kelly
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Heddwen L Brooks
- Department of Physiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
| | - Kristen L Zuloaga
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY, 12208, USA.
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19
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Oveisgharan S, Yang J, Yu L, Burba D, Bang W, Tasaki S, Grodstein F, Wang Y, Zhao J, De Jager PL, Schneider JA, Bennett DA. Estrogen Receptor Genes, Cognitive Decline, and Alzheimer Disease. Neurology 2023; 100:e1474-e1487. [PMID: 36697247 PMCID: PMC10104608 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000206833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Lifetime risk of Alzheimer disease (AD) dementia is twofold higher in women compared with men, and low estrogen levels in postmenopause have been suggested as a possible contributor. We examined 3 ER (GPER1, ER2, and ER1) variants in association with AD traits as an indirect method to test the association between estrogen and AD in women. Although the study focus was on women, in a comparison, we separately examined ER molecular variants in men. METHODS Participants were followed for an average of 10 years in one of the 2 longitudinal clinical pathologic studies of aging. Global cognition was assessed using a composite score derived from 19 neuropsychological tests' scores. Postmortem pathologic assessment included examination of 3 AD (amyloid-β and tau tangles determined by immunohistochemistry, and a global AD pathology score derived from diffuse and neurotic plaques and neurofibrillary tangle count) and 8 non-AD pathology indices. ER molecular genomic variants included genotyping and examining ER DNA methylation and RNA expression in brain regions including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) that are major players in cognition and often have AD pathology. RESULTS The mean age of women (N = 1711) at baseline was 78.0 (SD = 7.7) years. In women, GPER1 molecular variants had the most consistent associations with AD traits. GPER1 DNA methylation was associated with cognitive decline, tau tangle density, and global AD pathology score. GPER1 RNA expression in DLPFC was related to cognitive decline and tau tangle density. Other associations included associations of ER2 and ER1 sequence variants and DNA methylation with cognition. RNA expressions in DLPFC of genes involved in signaling mechanisms of activated ERs were also associated with cognitive decline and tau tangle density in women. In men (N = 651, average age at baseline: 77.4 [SD = 7.3]), there were less robust associations between ER molecular genomic variants and AD cognitive and pathologic traits. No consistent association was seen between ER molecular genomic variations and non-AD pathologies in either of the sexes. DISCUSSION ER DNA methylation and RNA expression, and to some extent ER polymorphisms, were associated with AD cognitive and pathologic traits in women, and to a lesser extent in men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahram Oveisgharan
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
| | - Jingyun Yang
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Lei Yu
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Dominika Burba
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Woojeong Bang
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Shinya Tasaki
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Fran Grodstein
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Yanling Wang
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Jinying Zhao
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Philip Lawrence De Jager
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Julie A Schneider
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - David A Bennett
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
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20
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Needham LP, Lu K, Nicholas JM, Schott JM, Richards M, James SN. A comprehensive assessment of age at menopause with well-characterized cognition at 70 years: A population-based British birth cohort. Maturitas 2023; 170:31-38. [PMID: 36753872 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2023.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Associations between age at menopause and cognition post-menopause are examined to determine whether relationships are stronger for certain cognitive domains. STUDY DESIGN Women from the Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development and its neuroscience sub-study, Insight 46, were included if they had known age at menopause (self-reported via questionnaire) and complete cognitive outcome data at age 69 (n = 746) or at Insight 46 wave I (n = 197). Multivariable linear regression analyses adjusting for life course confounders were run; interactions with menopause type (natural/surgical) and APOE-ε4 status were examined; and the potential contribution of hormone therapy was assessed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Cognitive measures were standardized Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination - third edition total and sub-domain scores at age 69 (whole cohort) and Preclinical Alzheimer's Cognitive Composite total and sub-test scores at age ~70 (Insight 46). RESULTS Older age at menopause was associated with better performance across all outcomes, most strongly for the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination memory and visuospatial function sub-domains, and the Preclinical Alzheimer's Cognitive Composite digit-symbol substitution test and face-name associative memory examination sub-tests. Adjusting for early-life factors attenuated all effect estimates, driven by childhood cognition, and accounting for menopause type revealed negative confounding for some outcomes. No significant interactions with menopause type or APOE-ε4 status were detected. Further adjustment for hormone therapy did not meaningfully alter the estimated effects. CONCLUSIONS Older age at menopause is associated with better later-life cognitive performance, particularly for visual processing and associative learning and memory domains. Childhood cognition was an important contributor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louisa P Needham
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, 5th Floor, 1-19 Torrington Pl, London WC1E 7HB, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
| | - Kirsty Lu
- Dementia Research Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
| | - Jennifer M Nicholas
- Dementia Research Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
| | - Jonathan M Schott
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, 5th Floor, 1-19 Torrington Pl, London WC1E 7HB, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Dementia Research Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
| | - Marcus Richards
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, 5th Floor, 1-19 Torrington Pl, London WC1E 7HB, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
| | - Sarah-Naomi James
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, 5th Floor, 1-19 Torrington Pl, London WC1E 7HB, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
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Sochocka M, Karska J, Pszczołowska M, Ochnik M, Fułek M, Fułek K, Kurpas D, Chojdak-Łukasiewicz J, Rosner-Tenerowicz A, Leszek J. Cognitive Decline in Early and Premature Menopause. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:6566. [PMID: 37047549 PMCID: PMC10095144 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Early and premature menopause, or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), affects 1% of women under the age of 40 years. This paper reviews the main aspects of early and premature menopause and their impact on cognitive decline. Based on the literature, cognitive complaints are more common near menopause: a phase marked by a decrease in hormone levels, especially estrogen. A premature reduction in estrogen puts women at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease, parkinsonism, depression, osteoporosis, hypertension, weight gain, midlife diabetes, as well as cognitive disorders and dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Experimental and epidemiological studies suggest that female sex hormones have long-lasting neuroprotective and anti-aging properties. Estrogens seem to prevent cognitive disorders arising from a cholinergic deficit in women and female animals in middle age premature menopause that affects the central nervous system (CNS) directly and indirectly, both transiently and in the long term, leads to cognitive impairment or even dementia, mainly due to the decrease in estrogen levels and comorbidity with cardiovascular risk factors, autoimmune diseases, and aging. Menopausal hormone therapy from menopause to the age of 60 years may provide a "window of opportunity" to reduce the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD in later life. Women with earlier menopause should be taken care of by various specialists such as gynecologists, endocrinologists, neurologists, and psychiatrists in order to maintain their mental health at the highest possible level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Sochocka
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Julia Karska
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | | | - Michał Ochnik
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Michał Fułek
- Department of Internal Medicine, Occupational Diseases, Hypertension and Clinical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Fułek
- Department and Clinic of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Donata Kurpas
- Department of Family Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 51-141 Wroclaw, Poland
| | | | - Anna Rosner-Tenerowicz
- 2nd Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Jerzy Leszek
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
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22
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Stefanowski B, Kucharski M, Szeliga A, Snopek M, Kostrzak A, Smolarczyk R, Maciejewska-Jeske M, Duszewska A, Niwczyk O, Drozd S, Englert-Golon M, Smolarczyk K, Meczekalski B. Cognitive decline and dementia in women after menopause: Prevention strategies. Maturitas 2023; 168:53-61. [PMID: 36493633 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2022.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Worldwide, cognitive decline and dementia are becoming one of the biggest challenges for public health. The decline in cognition and the development of dementia may be caused by predisposing or trigger factors. There is no consensus over whether the drop in estrogen levels after menopause is a risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia. This article discusses the prevention of cognitive decline and dementia in women after menopause, both primary prevention (essentially pharmacological intervention) and secondary prevention (chiefly diet and weight reduction). Further study is required to clarify whether menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) has a role in dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bogdan Stefanowski
- First Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Sobieskiego 9, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marek Kucharski
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, Warsaw Medical University, 00-315 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Szeliga
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-535 Poznan, Poland
| | - Milena Snopek
- First Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Sobieskiego 9, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Kostrzak
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-535 Poznan, Poland
| | - Roman Smolarczyk
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, Warsaw Medical University, 00-315 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marzena Maciejewska-Jeske
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-535 Poznan, Poland
| | - Anna Duszewska
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Department of Morphological Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences Warsaw, Poland
| | - Olga Niwczyk
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-535 Poznan, Poland
| | - Slawomir Drozd
- College of Medical Sciences, Institute of Physical Culture Studies, University of Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Monika Englert-Golon
- Surgical Gynecology Clinic, Department of Gynaecology Obstetrics and Gynaecological Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-535 Poznan, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Smolarczyk
- Department of Dermatology Immunodermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Blazej Meczekalski
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-535 Poznan, Poland.
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Yang HL, Zhang SQ, Zhang S, Wu YY, Luo RD. Fertility experiences and later-life cognitive function among older adults in China. Am J Hum Biol 2022; 34:e23786. [PMID: 35929732 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The relationship between fertility history and human health has long fascinated scholars; however, whether there is a link between number of children and cognitive function in older adults remains unclear. We investigated the associations between parity and the timing of first and last births with the cognitive function of older adults over 65. METHODS The mini-mental state examination (MMSE) was selected as a tool to measure cognitive function. We analyzed data on 5847 older adults in rural and urban communities in China from the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey using ordinary least squares. To further explore the transmission mechanism, we also conducted a mediating effect analysis. RESULTS We found a negative association between number of children and cognitive function in older adults. Compared with older adults with four children, the MMSE scores of older adults with more than five children decreased significantly, and the score of older adults with zero to three children increased. Further, a late age at first birth (≥35) and a late age at last birth (≥35) were negatively associated with cognitive function. We also found that the associations between parity and cognition might be partly explained by variations in health. CONCLUSION Our analyses provided evidence from China to support the link between fertility history and cognitive function that has been observed in previous international studies: We suggest that high parity (≥5) is negatively associated with cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua-Lei Yang
- School of Public Administration, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, China
| | - Si-Qing Zhang
- School of Public Administration, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuo Zhang
- School of Public Administration, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan-Yang Wu
- School of Public Administration, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, China
| | - Run-Dong Luo
- School of Business, Shandong University, Weihai, China
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Zhou R, Liu HM, Zou LW, Wei HX, Huang YN, Zhong Q, Gu SY, Chen MF, Wang SL, Sun HX, Wu XB. Associations of Parity With Change in Global Cognition and Incident Cognitive Impairment in Older Women. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:864128. [PMID: 35601623 PMCID: PMC9114765 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.864128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The evidence of the association between parity and risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia is mixed, and the relationship between parity and longitudinal cognitive changes is less clear. We investigated these issues in a large population of older women who were carefully monitored for development of MCI and probable dementia. Methods Using the Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study, 7,100 postmenopausal women (mean age 70.1 ± 3.8 years) with information on baseline parity (defined as the number of term pregnancies), measures of global cognition (Modified Mini-Mental State Examination score) from 1996–2007, and cognitive impairment (centrally adjudicated diagnoses of MCI and dementia) from 1996–2016 were included. Multivariable linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze the rate of changes in global cognition. Cox regression models were used to evaluate the risk of MCI/dementia across parity groups. Results Over an average of 10.5 years, 465 new cases of MCI/dementia were identified. Compared with nulliparous women, those with a parity of 1–3 and ≥4 had a lower MCI/dementia risk. The HRs were 0.75 (0.56–0.99) and 0.71 (0.53–0.96), respectively (P < 0.01). Similarly, a parity of 1–3 and ≥4 was related to slower cognitive decline (β = 0.164, 0.292, respectively, P < 0.05). Conclusion Higher parity attenuated the future risk for MCI/dementia and slowed the rates of cognitive decline in elderly women. Future studies are needed to determine how parity affects late-life cognitive function in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhou
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health (Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hua-Min Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health (Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lian-Wu Zou
- Department of Psychiatry, Baiyun Jingkang Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hong-Xia Wei
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health (Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi-Ning Huang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health (Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi Zhong
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health (Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shan-Yuan Gu
- Inpatient Department, Baiyun Jingkang Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ming-Feng Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Baiyun Jingkang Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shao-Li Wang
- Clinical Laboratory, Baiyun Jingkang Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hai-Xia Sun
- Department of Geriatrics, The 74th Army Hospital of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xian-Bo Wu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health (Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Xian-Bo Wu,
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Crawford SL. Contributions of oophorectomy and other gynecologic surgeries to cognitive decline and dementia. Menopause 2022; 29:499-501. [PMID: 35324541 DOI: 10.1097/gme.0000000000001991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sybil L Crawford
- UMass Chan Medical School, Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing, Worcester, MA
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Li J, Hao W, Fu C, Zhou C, Zhu D. Sex Differences in Memory: Do Female Reproductive Factors Explain the Differences? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:837852. [PMID: 35527998 PMCID: PMC9073013 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.837852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The sex differences in memory impairment were inconclusive, and the effect of female reproductive factors (age at menarche, age at menopause, and reproductive period) on the differences was not clear. We aimed to examine the sex differences in objective and subjective memory impairment in postmenopausal women and age- and education-matched men and explore whether the differences were differed by female reproductive factors. Methods Data were obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Using the case-control matching method, 3,218 paired postmenopausal women and men matched for age and education were selected. Memory was assessed using the three-word recall task and a self-rated question. Poisson regression models with a robust error variance were used. Results The relative risk was 1.22 (95% confidence interval 1.08-1.38) for objective memory impairment in women compared with men (23.87% vs. 27.36%), and 1.51 (1.36-1.67) for subjective memory impairment (39.34% vs. 28.25%) after adjusting the confounders. The higher risk of objective memory impairment in women was different among groups of age at menarche in a linear pattern, with younger age at menarche associated with higher risks of objective memory impairment (p < 0.001 for trend). It was also different among groups of menopausal age and reproductive period in an approximate U-shaped pattern, with a similar risk of objective memory with men in women menopause at 52-53 years and having a reproductive period of 31-33 years and higher risks in women with earlier or later menopause (RRs raging form 1.17 to1.41) and a shorter or longer period of reproduction (RR, 1.23-1.29). The higher risks of subjective memory impairment in women were not different among different groups of reproductive factors. Conclusions Postmenopausal women were at an increased risk of objective and subjective memory impairment than men. The higher risks in objective memory, but not subjective memory, were varied by age at menarche, age at menopause, and reproductive periods, which may help understand the underlying mechanisms of sex differences in cognitive ageing and guide precise intervention to preventing dementia among older women and men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- Centre for Health Management and Policy Research, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Health Economics and Policy Research (Shandong University), Jinan, China
| | - Wenting Hao
- Centre for Health Management and Policy Research, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Health Economics and Policy Research (Shandong University), Jinan, China
| | - Chunying Fu
- Centre for Health Management and Policy Research, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Health Economics and Policy Research (Shandong University), Jinan, China
| | - Chengchao Zhou
- Centre for Health Management and Policy Research, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Health Economics and Policy Research (Shandong University), Jinan, China
| | - Dongshan Zhu
- Centre for Health Management and Policy Research, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Health Economics and Policy Research (Shandong University), Jinan, China
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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27
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LaPlume AA, McKetton L, Anderson ND, Troyer AK. Sex differences and modifiable dementia risk factors synergistically influence memory over the adult lifespan. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 14:e12301. [PMID: 35386471 PMCID: PMC8973898 DOI: 10.1002/dad2.12301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Introduction More women than men develop Alzheimer's disease, yet women perform better and show less decline on episodic memory measures, a contradiction that may be accounted for by modifiable risk factors for dementia. Methods Associations among age, sex, modifiable dementia risk factors, and cognition were measured in a cross-sectional online sample (n = 21,840, ages 18 to 89). Results Across four tests of associative memory and executive functions, only a Face-Name Association task revealed sex differences in associative memory that varied by age. Men had worse memory than women (the equivalent of performing similar to someone 4 years older) across ages. Men had larger age differences than women (ie, worse memory in older ages) among people with no to one risk factor, but not those with multiple risk factors. Discussion Because the relationship between dementia risk factors and age-related memory differences varies between men and women, sex-specific dementia prevention approaches are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalise A. LaPlume
- Rotman Research InstituteBaycrest Health Sciences (fully affiliated with the University of Toronto)TorontoCanada
| | - Larissa McKetton
- Rotman Research InstituteBaycrest Health Sciences (fully affiliated with the University of Toronto)TorontoCanada
| | - Nicole D. Anderson
- Rotman Research InstituteBaycrest Health Sciences (fully affiliated with the University of Toronto)TorontoCanada
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of TorontoTorontoCanada
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - Angela K. Troyer
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of TorontoTorontoCanada
- Neuropsychology and Cognitive Health ProgramBaycrest Health SciencesTorontoCanada
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28
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Frye BM, Craft S, Register TC, Kim J, Whitlow CT, Barcus RA, Lockhart SN, Sai KKS, Shively CA. Early Alzheimer's disease-like reductions in gray matter and cognitive function with aging in nonhuman primates. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (NEW YORK, N. Y.) 2022; 8:e12284. [PMID: 35310523 PMCID: PMC8918111 DOI: 10.1002/trc2.12284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Age-related neuropathology associated with sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) often develops well before the onset of symptoms. Given AD's long preclinical period, translational models are needed to identify early signatures of pathological decline. Methods Using structural magnetic resonance imaging and cognitive assessments, we examined the relationships among age, cognitive performance, and neuroanatomy in 48 vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus) ranging from young adults to very old. Results We found negative associations of age with cortical gray matter volume (P = .003) and the temporal-parietal cortical thickness meta-region of interest (P = .001). Additionally, cortical gray matter volumes predicted working memory at approximately 1-year follow-up (correct trials at the 20s delay [P = .008]; correct responses after longer delays [P = .004]). Discussion Cortical gray matter diminishes with age in vervets in regions relevant to AD, which may increase risk of cognitive impairment. This study lays the groundwork for future investigations to test therapeutics to delay or slow pathological decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett M. Frye
- Department of Pathology/Comparative MedicineWake Forest School of MedicineWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Suzanne Craft
- Department of Internal Medicine/GerontologyWake Forest School of MedicineWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
- Wake Forest Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Thomas C. Register
- Department of Pathology/Comparative MedicineWake Forest School of MedicineWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
- Wake Forest Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Jeongchul Kim
- Wake Forest Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
- Department of RadiologyWake Forest School of MedicineWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Christopher T. Whitlow
- Wake Forest Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
- Department of RadiologyWake Forest School of MedicineWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Richard A. Barcus
- Wake Forest Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
- Department of RadiologyWake Forest School of MedicineWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Samuel N. Lockhart
- Department of Internal Medicine/GerontologyWake Forest School of MedicineWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
- Wake Forest Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Kiran Kumar Solingapuram Sai
- Wake Forest Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
- Department of RadiologyWake Forest School of MedicineWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Carol A. Shively
- Department of Pathology/Comparative MedicineWake Forest School of MedicineWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
- Wake Forest Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
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29
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Jett S, Malviya N, Schelbaum E, Jang G, Jahan E, Clancy K, Hristov H, Pahlajani S, Niotis K, Loeb-Zeitlin S, Havryliuk Y, Isaacson R, Brinton RD, Mosconi L. Endogenous and Exogenous Estrogen Exposures: How Women's Reproductive Health Can Drive Brain Aging and Inform Alzheimer's Prevention. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:831807. [PMID: 35356299 PMCID: PMC8959926 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.831807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
After advanced age, female sex is the major risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia affecting over 24 million people worldwide. The prevalence of AD is higher in women than in men, with postmenopausal women accounting for over 60% of all those affected. While most research has focused on gender-combined risk, emerging data indicate sex and gender differences in AD pathophysiology, onset, and progression, which may help account for the higher prevalence in women. Notably, AD-related brain changes develop during a 10-20 year prodromal phase originating in midlife, thus proximate with the hormonal transitions of endocrine aging characteristic of the menopause transition in women. Preclinical evidence for neuroprotective effects of gonadal sex steroid hormones, especially 17β-estradiol, strongly argue for associations between female fertility, reproductive history, and AD risk. The level of gonadal hormones to which the female brain is exposed changes considerably across the lifespan, with relevance to AD risk. However, the neurobiological consequences of hormonal fluctuations, as well as that of hormone therapies, are yet to be fully understood. Epidemiological studies have yielded contrasting results of protective, deleterious and null effects of estrogen exposure on dementia risk. In contrast, brain imaging studies provide encouraging evidence for positive associations between greater cumulative lifetime estrogen exposure and lower AD risk in women, whereas estrogen deprivation is associated with negative consequences on brain structure, function, and biochemistry. Herein, we review the existing literature and evaluate the strength of observed associations between female-specific reproductive health factors and AD risk in women, with a focus on the role of endogenous and exogenous estrogen exposures as a key underlying mechanism. Chief among these variables are reproductive lifespan, menopause status, type of menopause (spontaneous vs. induced), number of pregnancies, and exposure to hormonal therapy, including hormonal contraceptives, hormonal therapy for menopause, and anti-estrogen treatment. As aging is the greatest risk factor for AD followed by female sex, understanding sex-specific biological pathways through which reproductive history modulates brain aging is crucial to inform preventative and therapeutic strategies for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Jett
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Niharika Malviya
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Eva Schelbaum
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Grace Jang
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Eva Jahan
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Katherine Clancy
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Hollie Hristov
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Silky Pahlajani
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Kellyann Niotis
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Susan Loeb-Zeitlin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Yelena Havryliuk
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Richard Isaacson
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Roberta Diaz Brinton
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Lisa Mosconi
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
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Xi H, Gan J, Liu S, Wang F, Chen Z, Wang XD, Shi Z, Ji Y. Reproductive factors and cognitive impairment in natural menopausal women: A cross-sectional study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:893901. [PMID: 35979434 PMCID: PMC9376623 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.893901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Little information on rural older women in northern China has been reported, apart from three studies in southern and eastern China in the past decade. This study aims to evaluate the relationships between reproductive factors and the risk of cognitive impairment, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia, in Chinese women with natural menopause. METHODS The cross-sectional study was conducted in 112 community primary healthcare centers in rural northern China between April 2019 and January 2020. A total of 4,275 women aged ≥65 years who had natural menopause were included. Reproductive factors as well as the reproductive period (= age at menopause - age at menarche) were recorded. The relationships between reproductive factors and cognitive impairment were evaluated by correlation and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Overall, 28.6% and 11.4% of women were diagnosed with MCI or dementia, respectively. In natural menopause women, the age at menopause (adjusted r = 0.070, p < 0.001), reproductive period (adjusted r = 0.053, p = 0.001), and number of pregnancies (adjusted r = -0.042, p = 0.007) and parities (adjusted r = -0.068, p < 0.001) were correlated with Mini-Mental State Examination (Chinese version) scores, and with similar findings concerning MCI and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Greater age at menopause and a long reproductive period significantly decreased the risk of MCI and Alzheimer's disease (AD), and more parities significantly increased the risks of MCI (odds ratio (OR) = 1.111, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.039-1.187, p = 0.002), dementia (OR = 1.162, 95% CI: 1.061-1.271, p = 0.001), particular AD (OR = 1.131, 95% CI: 1.010-1.266, p = 0.032), DLB (OR = 1.238, 95% CI: 1.003-1.528, p = 0.047), and vascular dementia (VaD) (OR = 1.288, 95% CI: 1.080-1.536, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence rates of MCI and dementia were 28.6% and 11.4% in older women. Greater age at menarche, young age at menopause, shorter reproductive period, and larger numbers of pregnancies/parities were correlated with poor cognition and significantly increased the risks of MCI and dementia, particularly AD, DLB, and VaD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haitao Xi
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jinghuan Gan
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuai Liu
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Dementia Institute, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Neurology, Yuncheng Central Hospital of Shanxi Province, Yuncheng, China
| | - Zhichao Chen
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Dan Wang
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Dementia Institute, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhihong Shi
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Dementia Institute, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yong Ji
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Dementia Institute, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Yong Ji,
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31
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Schindler LS, Subramaniapillai S, Barth C, van der Meer D, Pedersen ML, Kaufmann T, Maximov II, Linge J, Leinhard OD, Beck D, Gurholt TP, Voldsbekk I, Suri S, Ebmeier KP, Draganski B, Andreassen OA, Westlye LT, de Lange AMG. Associations between abdominal adipose tissue, reproductive span, and brain characteristics in post-menopausal women. Neuroimage Clin 2022; 36:103239. [PMID: 36451350 PMCID: PMC9668664 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The menopause transition involves changes in oestrogens and adipose tissue distribution, which may influence female brain health post-menopause. Although increased central fat accumulation is linked to risk of cardiometabolic diseases, adipose tissue also serves as the primary biosynthesis site of oestrogens post-menopause. It is unclear whether different types of adipose tissue play diverging roles in female brain health post-menopause, and whether this depends on lifetime oestrogen exposure, which can have lasting effects on the brain and body even after menopause. Using the UK Biobank sample, we investigated associations between brain characteristics and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (ASAT) in 10,251 post-menopausal females, and assessed whether the relationships varied depending on length of reproductive span (age at menarche to age at menopause). To parse the effects of common genetic variation, we computed polygenic scores for reproductive span. The results showed that higher VAT and ASAT were both associated with higher grey and white matter brain age, and greater white matter hyperintensity load. The associations varied positively with reproductive span, indicating more prominent associations between adipose tissue and brain measures in females with a longer reproductive span. The effects were in general small, but could not be fully explained by genetic variation or relevant confounders. Our findings indicate that associations between abdominal adipose tissue and brain health post-menopause may partly depend on individual differences in cumulative oestrogen exposure during reproductive years, emphasising the complexity of neural and endocrine ageing processes in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise S Schindler
- LREN, Centre for Research in Neurosciences, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Sivaniya Subramaniapillai
- LREN, Centre for Research in Neurosciences, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Claudia Barth
- NORMENT, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Psychiatric Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Dennis van der Meer
- NORMENT, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, The Netherlands
| | - Mads L Pedersen
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; NORMENT, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tobias Kaufmann
- NORMENT, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ivan I Maximov
- NORMENT, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Health and Functioning, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jennifer Linge
- AMRA Medical AB, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Health, Medicine, and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Olof Dahlqvist Leinhard
- AMRA Medical AB, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Health, Medicine, and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Dani Beck
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; NORMENT, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tiril P Gurholt
- NORMENT, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Irene Voldsbekk
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; NORMENT, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sana Suri
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Bogdan Draganski
- LREN, Centre for Research in Neurosciences, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Dept. of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ole A Andreassen
- NORMENT, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; KG Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lars T Westlye
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; NORMENT, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; KG Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ann-Marie G de Lange
- LREN, Centre for Research in Neurosciences, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Fu C, Hao W, Shrestha N, Virani SS, Mishra SR, Zhu D. Association of reproductive factors with dementia: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analyses of observational studies. EClinicalMedicine 2022; 43:101236. [PMID: 34977513 PMCID: PMC8683685 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2021.101236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Associations between endogenous estrogen exposure indicators and risk of subtypes of dementia have been unclear. METHODS Databases (PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science) were searched electronically on 1st July and updated regularly until 12nd November 2021. Observational studies of English language were selected if reported an effect estimate [e.g., odds ratio (OR), rate ratio (RR) or hazard ratio (HR)] and 95% CI for the association between any exposure (age of menarche, age at menopause, reproductive period, estradiol level) and any endpoint variable [all-cause dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia (VD), cognitive impairment (CI)]. Random-effects models and dose-response meta-analyses were used to calculate estimates and to show the linear/nonlinear relationship. PROSPERO CRD42021274827. FINDINGS We included 22 studies (475 9764 women) in this analysis. We found no clear relationship between late menarche (≥14 vs <14 years) and dementia, CI in categorical meta-analysis compared to a J-shape relationship in dose-response meta-analyses. Later menopause (≥45 vs <45 years) was consistently associated with a lower risk of all-cause dementia (pooled RR: 0.87, 95%CI: 0.78-0.97, I2=56.0%), AD (0.67, 0.44-0.99, I2=78.3%), VD (0.87, 0.80-0.94) and CI (0.82, 0.71-0.94, I2=19.3%) in categorical meta-analysis, showing similar results in dose-response meta-analyses. An inverse relationship between longer reproductive duration (≥35 vs <35 years) and dementia was observed in dose-response meta-analysis. In addition, estradiol levels after menopause were inversely correlated with the risk of AD and CI. INTERPRETATION In this study, later menopause and longer reproductive period were associated with a lower risk of dementia, while the relationship for menarchal age was J-shaped. There was an inverse relationship between higher postmenopausal estrogen levels and risk of AD and CI. Longitudinal study are needed to further explore the association between life-time estrogen exposure and risk of subtypes of dementia. FUNDING Start-up Foundation for Scientific Research in Shandong University.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunying Fu
- Centre for Health Management and Policy Research, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
- NHC Key Lab of Health Economics and Policy Research (Shandong University), Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Wenting Hao
- Centre for Health Management and Policy Research, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
- NHC Key Lab of Health Economics and Policy Research (Shandong University), Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Nipun Shrestha
- Department of Primary care and mental health, University of Liverpool
| | - Salim S. Virani
- Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Shiva Raj Mishra
- Academy for Data Sciences and Global Health, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Salim Yusuf Emerging Leaders Program, World Heart Federation, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Dongshan Zhu
- Centre for Health Management and Policy Research, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
- NHC Key Lab of Health Economics and Policy Research (Shandong University), Jinan, 250012, China
- Corresponding author at: Center for Health Management and Policy Research, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China.
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Salminen LE, Tubi MA, Bright J, Thomopoulos SI, Wieand A, Thompson PM. Sex is a defining feature of neuroimaging phenotypes in major brain disorders. Hum Brain Mapp 2022; 43:500-542. [PMID: 33949018 PMCID: PMC8805690 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex is a biological variable that contributes to individual variability in brain structure and behavior. Neuroimaging studies of population-based samples have identified normative differences in brain structure between males and females, many of which are exacerbated in psychiatric and neurological conditions. Still, sex differences in MRI outcomes are understudied, particularly in clinical samples with known sex differences in disease risk, prevalence, and expression of clinical symptoms. Here we review the existing literature on sex differences in adult brain structure in normative samples and in 14 distinct psychiatric and neurological disorders. We discuss commonalities and sources of variance in study designs, analysis procedures, disease subtype effects, and the impact of these factors on MRI interpretation. Lastly, we identify key problems in the neuroimaging literature on sex differences and offer potential recommendations to address current barriers and optimize rigor and reproducibility. In particular, we emphasize the importance of large-scale neuroimaging initiatives such as the Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta-Analyses consortium, the UK Biobank, Human Connectome Project, and others to provide unprecedented power to evaluate sex-specific phenotypes in major brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E. Salminen
- Imaging Genetics CenterMark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine of USCMarina del ReyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Meral A. Tubi
- Imaging Genetics CenterMark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine of USCMarina del ReyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Joanna Bright
- Imaging Genetics CenterMark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine of USCMarina del ReyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Sophia I. Thomopoulos
- Imaging Genetics CenterMark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine of USCMarina del ReyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Alyssa Wieand
- Imaging Genetics CenterMark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine of USCMarina del ReyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Paul M. Thompson
- Imaging Genetics CenterMark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine of USCMarina del ReyCaliforniaUSA
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Schelbaum E, Loughlin L, Jett S, Zhang C, Jang G, Malviya N, Hristov H, Pahlajani S, Isaacson R, Dyke JP, Kamel H, Brinton RD, Mosconi L. Association of Reproductive History With Brain MRI Biomarkers of Dementia Risk in Midlife. Neurology 2021; 97:e2328-e2339. [PMID: 34732544 PMCID: PMC8665431 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000012941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES To examine associations between indicators of estrogen exposure from women's reproductive history and brain MRI biomarkers of Alzheimer disease (AD) in midlife. METHODS We evaluated 99 cognitively normal women 52 ± 6 years of age and 29 men 52 ± 7 years of age with reproductive history data, neuropsychological testing, and volumetric MRI scans. We used multiple regressions to examine associations among reproductive history indicators, voxel-wise gray matter volume (GMV), and memory and global cognition scores, adjusting for demographics and midlife health indicators. Exposure variables were menopause status, age at menarche, age at menopause, reproductive span, hysterectomy status, number of children and pregnancies, and use of menopause hormonal therapy (HT) and hormonal contraceptives (HC). RESULTS All menopausal groups exhibited lower GMV in AD-vulnerable regions compared to men, with perimenopausal and postmenopausal groups also exhibiting lower GMV in temporal cortex compared to the premenopausal group. Reproductive span, number of children and pregnancies, and use of HT and HC were positively associated with GMV, chiefly in temporal cortex, frontal cortex, and precuneus, independent of age, APOE ε4 status, and midlife health indicators. Although reproductive history indicators were not directly associated with cognitive measures, GMV in temporal regions was positively associated with memory and global cognition scores. DISCUSSION Reproductive history events signaling more estrogen exposure such as premenopausal status, longer reproductive span, higher number of children, and use of HT and HC were associated with larger GMV in women in midlife. Further studies are needed to elucidate sex-specific biological pathways through which reproductive history influences cognitive aging and AD risk.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lisa Mosconi
- From the Departments of Neurology (E.S., L.L., S.J., C.Z., G.J., N.M., H.H., S.P., R.I., H.K., L.M.) and Radiology (J.P.D., L.M.), Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY; Department of Pharmacology (R.D.B.), University of Arizona, Tucson.
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35
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Wang X, Ding N, Harlow SD, Randolph JF, Mukherjee B, Gold EB, Park SK. Urinary metals and metal mixtures and timing of natural menopause in midlife women: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 157:106781. [PMID: 34311223 PMCID: PMC8490279 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to metals and metal mixtures may influence ovarian aging. However, epidemiologic evidence of their potential impact is lacking. OBJECTIVE We prospectively examined the associations of 15 urinary metal concentrations and their mixtures with natural menopause in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation Multi-Pollutant Study. METHODS The study population consisted of 1082 premenopausal women from multiple racial/ethnic groups, aged 45-56 years at baseline (1999-2000), with the median follow-up of 4.1 years. Urinary concentrations of 15 metals, including arsenic, barium, cadmium, cobalt, cesium, copper, mercury, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, lead, antimony, tin, thallium, and zinc, were measured at baseline. Natural menopause was defined as the final bleeding episode prior to at least 12 months of amenorrhea, not due to surgery or hormone therapy. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine associations between individual metal concentrations and timing of natural menopause. The associations between metal mixtures and natural menopause were evaluated using elastic net penalized Cox regression, and an environmental risk score (ERS) was computed to represent individual risks of natural menopause related to metal mixtures. RESULTS The median age at natural menopause was 53.2 years. Using the Cox proportional hazards models, the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) (and its 95% confidence interval (CI)) for natural menopause was 1.32 (1.03, 1.67) for arsenic and 1.36 (1.05, 1.76) for lead, comparing the highest with the lowest quartiles of metal concentrations. The predicted ages at natural menopause in the highest and lowest quartiles were 52.7 and 53.5 years for arsenic; and 52.9 and 53.8 years for lead. A significant association between ERS and menopause was also observed. Women in the highest vs. the lowest quartiles of ERS had an HR of 1.71 (1.36, 2.15), equivalent to a 1.6 year earlier median time to natural menopause. CONCLUSION This study suggests that arsenic, lead, and metal mixtures are associated with earlier natural menopause, a risk factor for adverse health outcomes in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Ning Ding
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Siobán D Harlow
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - John F Randolph
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Bhramar Mukherjee
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Ellen B Gold
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Sung Kyun Park
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
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Georgakis MK, Petridou ET. Long-term Risk of Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Following Bilateral Oophorectomy in Premenopausal Women-Time to Rethink Policies? JAMA Netw Open 2021; 4:e2133016. [PMID: 34762116 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.33016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marios K Georgakis
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
- Program of Medical and Population Health, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, University Hospital of LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Eleni T Petridou
- Department of Hygiene Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Głombik K, Detka J, Budziszewska B. Hormonal Regulation of Oxidative Phosphorylation in the Brain in Health and Disease. Cells 2021; 10:2937. [PMID: 34831160 PMCID: PMC8616269 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The developing and adult brain is a target organ for the vast majority of hormones produced by the body, which are able to cross the blood-brain barrier and bind to their specific receptors on neurons and glial cells. Hormones ensure proper communication between the brain and the body by activating adaptive mechanisms necessary to withstand and react to changes in internal and external conditions by regulating neuronal and synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis and metabolic activity of the brain. The influence of hormones on energy metabolism and mitochondrial function in the brain has gained much attention since mitochondrial dysfunctions are observed in many different pathological conditions of the central nervous system. Moreover, excess or deficiency of hormones is associated with cell damage and loss of function in mitochondria. This review aims to expound on the impact of hormones (GLP-1, insulin, thyroid hormones, glucocorticoids) on metabolic processes in the brain with special emphasis on oxidative phosphorylation dysregulation, which may contribute to the formation of pathological changes. Since the brain concentrations of sex hormones and neurosteroids decrease with age as well as in neurodegenerative diseases, in parallel with the occurrence of mitochondrial dysfunction and the weakening of cognitive functions, their beneficial effects on oxidative phosphorylation and expression of antioxidant enzymes are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Głombik
- Laboratory of Immunoendocrinology, Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343 Kraków, Poland; (J.D.); (B.B.)
| | - Jan Detka
- Laboratory of Immunoendocrinology, Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343 Kraków, Poland; (J.D.); (B.B.)
| | - Bogusława Budziszewska
- Laboratory of Immunoendocrinology, Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343 Kraków, Poland; (J.D.); (B.B.)
- Department of Biochemical Toxicology, Chair of Toxicology, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland
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38
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Conde DM, Verdade RC, Valadares ALR, Mella LFB, Pedro AO, Costa-Paiva L. Menopause and cognitive impairment: A narrative review of current knowledge. World J Psychiatry 2021; 11:412-428. [PMID: 34513605 PMCID: PMC8394691 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v11.i8.412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A severe impairment of cognitive function characterizes dementia. Mild cognitive impairment represents a transition between normal cognition and dementia. The frequency of cognitive changes is higher in women than in men. Based on this fact, hormonal factors likely contribute to cognitive decline. In this sense, cognitive complaints are more common near menopause, a phase marked by a decrease in hormone levels, especially estrogen. Additionally, a tendency toward worsened cognitive performance has been reported in women during menopause. Vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes, sweating, and dizziness), vaginal dryness, irritability and forgetfulness are common and associated with a progressive decrease in ovarian function and a subsequent reduction in the serum estrogen concentration. Hormone therapy (HT), based on estrogen with or without progestogen, is the treatment of choice to relieve menopausal symptoms. The studies conducted to date have reported conflicting results regarding the effects of HT on cognition. This article reviews the main aspects of menopause and cognition, including the neuroprotective role of estrogen and the relationship between menopausal symptoms and cognitive function. We present and discuss the findings of the central observational and interventional studies on HT and cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Délio Marques Conde
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74605-050, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Roberto Carmignani Verdade
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-881, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana L R Valadares
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-881, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas F B Mella
- Department of Medical Psychology and Psychiatry-Geriatric Psychiatry and Neuropsychiatric Division, State University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-887, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adriana Orcesi Pedro
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-881, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucia Costa-Paiva
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-881, São Paulo, Brazil
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Li M, Lin J, Liang S, Chen Z, Bai Y, Long X, Huang S, Mo Z. The role of age at menarche and age at menopause in Alzheimer's disease: evidence from a bidirectional mendelian randomization study. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:19722-19749. [PMID: 34347623 PMCID: PMC8386554 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The association between endogenous estrogen exposure and Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains inconclusive in previous observational studies, and few Mendelian randomization (MR) studies have focused on their causality thus far. We performed a bidirectional MR study to clarify the causality and causal direction of age at menarche and age at menopause, which are indicators of endogenous estrogen exposure, on AD risk. We obtained all genetic datasets for the MR analyses using publicly available summary statistics based on individuals of European ancestry from the IEU GWAS database. The MR analyses indicated no significant causal relationship between the genetically determined age at menarche (outlier-adjusted inverse variance weighted odds ratio [IVWOR] = 0.926; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.803-1.066) or age at menopause (outlier-adjusted IVWOR = 0.981; 95% CI, 0.941-1.022) and AD risk. Similarly, AD did not show any causal association with age at menarche or age at menopause. The sensitivity analyses yielded similar results. In contrast, an inverse association was detected between age at menarche and body mass index (BMI, outlier-adjusted IVW β = -0.043; 95% CI, -0.077 to -0.009). Our bidirectional MR study provides no evidence for a causal relationship between the genetically determined age at menarche or age at menopause and AD susceptibility, or vice versa. However, earlier menarche might be associated with higher adult BMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingli Li
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Colleges and Universities, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,School of Public Health of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Jiali Lin
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Colleges and Universities, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,School of Public Health of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Shuang Liang
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Colleges and Universities, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,School of Public Health of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Zefeng Chen
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Colleges and Universities, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,School of Public Health of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Yulan Bai
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Colleges and Universities, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,School of Public Health of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Xinyang Long
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Colleges and Universities, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,School of Public Health of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Shengzhu Huang
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Colleges and Universities, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,School of Public Health of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Zengnan Mo
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Colleges and Universities, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China.,Institute of Urology and Nephrology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
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Abstract
This review focuses on the diagnosis and management of menopause, highlighting both hormonal and nonhormonal treatment options. In particular, the article focuses on recent data on the risks and benefits of hormone therapy to help clinicians better counsel their patients about decision making with regard to understanding and treating menopause symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A McNeil
- University of Pittsburgh Medical School, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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41
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Xu X, Jones M, Mishra GD. Age at natural menopause and development of chronic conditions and multimorbidity: results from an Australian prospective cohort. Hum Reprod 2021; 35:203-211. [PMID: 31955198 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dez259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is age at natural menopause (ANM) associated with the development of multiple chronic conditions (multimorbidity) in postmenopausal life? SUMMARY ANSWER Women with premature menopause experience increased odds of developing individual chronic conditions and multimorbidity. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY ANM is considered as a marker of age-related morbidity and mortality in postmenopausal life. Multimorbidity affects more than 60% of older women and has been recognized as the most common 'chronic condition'. Few studies have examined the association between ANM and the development of multimorbidity. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A prospective national cohort study of 11 258 Australian women, aged 45-50 years in 1996. Women were followed from 1996 to 2016. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Information about ANM and 11 chronic conditions (diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, osteoporosis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression, anxiety and breast cancer) were estimated approximately every 3 years. Multimorbidity is defined as 2 or more of these 11 conditions. Generalized estimating equations were used to link the categorical ANM with individual chronic conditions and multimorbidity. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Among 5107 women reporting ANM, 2.3% experienced premature menopause (≤40 years) and 55.1% developed multimorbidity. Compared with women who experienced menopause at age 50-51 years, women with premature menopause had twice the odds of experiencing multimorbidity by age 60 (OR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.31 to 2.98) and three times the odds of developing multimorbidity in their 60s (OR = 3.03, 95% CI 1.62 to 5.64). Women with premature menopause also experienced higher incidence of most individual chronic conditions. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The main limitation of this study was the use of self-reported data, but with repeated assessments from prospective study design and the validity of most of the chronic conditions from hospital data, the potential for non-differential misclassification is minimized. WIDE IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess the association of premature menopause and development of multimorbidity in a larger national cohort of mid-aged women. Health professionals should consider comprehensive screening and assessment of risk factors for multimorbidity when treating women who experienced premature menopause. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health was supported by the Australian Government Department of Health. X.X. is funded by an International Postgraduate Research Scholarship from the Australian government and a UQ Centennial Scholarship from The University of Queensland. G.D.M. is supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council Principal Research Fellowship (APP1121844). None of the authors has any conflicts of interest to declare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Xu
- School of Public Health, Centre for Longitudinal and Life Course Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Mark Jones
- School of Public Health, Centre for Longitudinal and Life Course Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Gita D Mishra
- School of Public Health, Centre for Longitudinal and Life Course Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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Leeners B, Krüger T, Geraedts K, Tronci E, Mancini T, Ille F, Egli M, Röblitz S, Wunder D, Saleh L, Schippert C, Hengartner MP. Cognitive function in association with high estradiol levels resulting from fertility treatment. Horm Behav 2021; 130:104951. [PMID: 33561436 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2021.104951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The putative association between hormones and cognitive performance is controversial. While there is evidence that estradiol plays a neuroprotective role, hormone treatment has not been shown to improve cognitive performance. Current research is flawed by the evaluation of combined hormonal effects throughout the menstrual cycle or in the menopausal transition. The stimulation phase of a fertility treatment offers a unique model to study the effect of estradiol on cognitive function. This quasi-experimental observational study is based on data from 44 women receiving IVF in Zurich, Switzerland. We assessed visuospatial working memory, attention, cognitive bias, and hormone levels at the beginning and at the end of the stimulation phase of ovarian superstimulation as part of a fertility treatment. In addition to inter-individual differences, we examined intra-individual change over time (within-subject effects). The substantial increases in estradiol levels resulting from fertility treatment did not relate to any considerable change in cognitive functioning. As the tests applied represent a broad variety of cognitive functions on different levels of complexity and with various brain regions involved, we can conclude that estradiol does not show a significant short-term effect on cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigitte Leeners
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, University hospital Zürich, 8910 Zurich, Frauenklinikstr. 10, Switzerland.
| | - Tillmann Krüger
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Kirsten Geraedts
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, University hospital Zürich, 8910 Zurich, Frauenklinikstr. 10, Switzerland.
| | - Enrico Tronci
- Department of Computer Science, University of Roma "La Sapienza", Roma, Italy.
| | - Toni Mancini
- Department of Computer Science, University of Roma "La Sapienza", Roma, Italy.
| | - Fabian Ille
- Center of Competence in Aerospace Biomedical Science & Technology, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Hergiswil, Switzerland.
| | - Marcel Egli
- Center of Competence in Aerospace Biomedical Science & Technology, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Hergiswil, Switzerland.
| | - Susanna Röblitz
- Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Dorothea Wunder
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Gynecological Endocrinology, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Lanja Saleh
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Cordula Schippert
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Michael P Hengartner
- Department of Applied Psychology, Zurich University for Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Zürich, Switzerland.
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Chou HT, Wu PY, Huang JC, Chen SC, Ho WY. Late Menarche, Not Reproductive Period, Is Associated with Poor Cognitive Function in Postmenopausal Women in Taiwan. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:2345. [PMID: 33673620 PMCID: PMC7967768 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Female sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone play an important role in the regulation of a woman's body, including cognition and neurogenesis. However, the effects of age at menarche and reproductive period on cognitive function are still controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between age at menarche and reproductive period with cognitive impairment. Data were obtained from the Taiwan Biobank. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and its five subdomains. Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed that an old age at menarche (per one year; coefficient β, -0.189; p = 0.020) was significantly associated with a low total MMSE score, whereas reproductive period (p = 0.733) was not significantly associated with total MMSE score. Furthermore, an old age at menarche was significantly associated with low MMSE G2 (registration) (per one year; coefficient β, -0.022; p = 0.035) and G5 (language, construction and obey) scores (per one year; coefficient β, -0.054; p = 0.047). However, age at menarche was not significantly associated with MMSE G1 (orientation), G3 (attention and calculation) and G4 (recall) scores. In addition, reproductive period was not significantly associated with any MMSE subscores. Late menarche was associated with poor cognitive function, including low total MMSE score and low MMSE G2 and G5 scores. However, reproductive period was not associated with cognitive function in postmenopausal women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Tse Chou
- Department of General Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
| | - Pei-Yu Wu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 812, Taiwan; (P.-Y.W.); (J.-C.H.); (S.-C.C.)
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Jiun-Chi Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 812, Taiwan; (P.-Y.W.); (J.-C.H.); (S.-C.C.)
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Szu-Chia Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 812, Taiwan; (P.-Y.W.); (J.-C.H.); (S.-C.C.)
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Yi Ho
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
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AhR/miR-23a-3p/PKCα axis contributes to memory deficits in ovariectomized and normal aging female mice. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2021; 24:79-91. [PMID: 33738140 PMCID: PMC7940705 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2021.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The mechanism of estrogen deficiency-induced cognitive impairment is still not fully elucidated. In this study, we assessed the effect of microRNA (miRNA) on the memory of long-term estrogen-deficient mice after ovariectomy (OVX) and normal aging. We observed that 5-month OVX and 22-month-old normal aging female mice showed significantly impaired spatial and object recognition memory, declined hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), and decreased hippocampal protein kinase C α (PKCα) protein. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed upregulated miRNA-23a-3p (miR-23a-3p) in the hippocampus of 5-month OVX and 22-month-old female mice. In vitro, overexpression of miR-23a-3p downregulated PKCα by binding the 3¢ UTRs of Prkca mRNAs, which was prevented by its antisense oligonucleotide AMO-23a. In vivo, adeno-associated virus-mediated overexpression of miR-23a-3p (AAV-pre-miR-23a-3p) suppressed hippocampal PKCα and impaired the memory of mice. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed that aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) binds the promoter region of miR-23a-3p. The AhR-dependent downregulation of PKCα could be prevented by AMO-23a as well. Furthermore, knockdown of miR-23a-3p using AAV-AMO-23a rescued the cognitive and electrophysiological impairments of OVX and normal aging female mice. We conclude that long-term estrogen deficiency impairs cognition and hippocampal LTP by activating the AhR/miR-23a-3p/PKCα axis. The knockdown of miR-23a-3p may be a potentially valuable therapeutic strategy for estrogen deficiency-induced memory deficits.
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Chou CC, Chien LY, Lin MF, Wang CJ. Cognitive function and associated factors among postmenopausal women with hypertension and natural menopause in Taiwan. Geriatr Nurs 2020; 42:110-116. [PMID: 33360766 DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2020.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Hypertension is prevalent among postmenopausal women worldwide and is a risk factor for cognitive impairment. This study examined the cognitive differences between Taiwanese postmenopausal women with and without hypertension after natural menopause and identified factors associated with cognitive function in hypertensive postmenopausal women. A two-group comparative design study of 171 Taiwanese postmenopausal participants (mean age = 64.8±6.6) was conducted in southern Taiwan. Cognitive performance on neuropsychological tests was evaluated, and demographic, health, menopausal, and disease related variables were assessed. Compared to the non-hypertensive group, women with hypertension showed significantly worse performance and a higher percentage of impairment in global cognitive functioning and memory. Fewer years of education and longer duration of hypertension were associated with lower global cognitive function, and increased age was associated with lower scores in delayed memory. Cognitive screening as well as training on global cognitive functioning and memory are needed for postmenopausal hypertensive women. (148 words).
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Chen Chou
- Institute of Community Health Care, School of Nursing, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan..
| | - Li-Yin Chien
- Institute of Community Health Care, School of Nursing, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Feng Lin
- Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Jane Wang
- Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, & National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the cross-sectional association between measures of menstruation history (including menopausal status, age of menopause, age of menarche, and duration of reproductive stage) and brain volume. METHODS Women (aged 45 to 79 years) from the UK Biobank were included (n = 5,072) after excluding those who had (1) hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy, (2) ever used menopausal hormone therapy, (3) ever had a stroke, or (4) were perimenopausal. Multiple linear hierarchical regression models were computed to quantify the cross-sectional association between measures of menstruation history and brain volume. Sensitivity analysis based on propensity matching for age (and other demographic/health covariates) were applied to estimate differences in brain volumes between matched premenopausal and postmenopausal women. RESULTS Postmenopausal women had 1.06% (95% confidence interval [CI]; 1.05-1.06) and 2.17% (95% CI, 2.12-2.22) larger total brain volume (TBV) and hippocampal volumes (HV), respectively, than premenopausal women. Sensitivity analysis with age matched samples produced consistent results (TBV: 0.82%, 95% CI, 0.25-1.38; HV: 1.33%, 95% CI, 0.01-2.63). For every year increase in age above 45 years, postmenopausal women experienced 0.23% greater reduction in TBV than premenopausal women (95% CI, -0.60 to -0.14), which was not observed for HV. Moreover, every 1 year delayed onset of menopause after 45 was associated with 0.32% (95% CI, -0.35 to -0.28) and 0.31% (95% CI, -0.40 to -0.22) smaller TBV and HV, respectively. Every additional year in age of menarche was associated with 0.10% (95% CI, 0.04-0.16) larger TBV, which was not detected for HV. Similarly, every 1 year increase in duration of reproductive stage was associated with 0.09% smaller TBV (95% CI, -0.15 to -0.03), which was not detected for HV. CONCLUSIONS Menopause may contribute to brain volume beyond typical aging effects. Furthermore, early age of menarche, delayed age of menopause and increasing duration of reproductive stage were negatively associated with brain volume. Further research is required to determine whether the negative association between age of menopause and HV is potentially an indicator of future vulnerability for dementia.
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Song X, Wu J, Zhou Y, Feng L, Yuan JM, Pan A, Koh WP. Reproductive and hormonal factors and risk of cognitive impairment among Singapore Chinese women. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2020; 223:410.e1-410.e23. [PMID: 32112728 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.02.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiologic studies suggest that declining estrogen levels in menopause may play an important role in the pathogenesis of dementia and contribute to increased risk of cognitive impairment in women. Most previous studies have been conducted in Western populations to investigate the relationship of the length of reproductive periods and use of hormone-replacement therapy with risk of cognitive function and dementia, but the findings are inconclusive. Relevant evidence among Asian populations is limited. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the association between reproductive and hormonal factors and the risk of cognitive impairment in Chinese women with natural menopause. STUDY DESIGN The Singapore Chinese Health Study is a population-based study that recruited participants aged 45-74 years between 1993 and 1998, and the current study included 8222 women from this cohort who had natural menopause, complete data on reproductive factors and hormonal therapies at baseline (1993-1998), follow-up 1 (1999-2004) and follow-up 2 interviews (2006-2010), and cognitive function evaluated at ages 61-96 years using the Singapore Modified Mini-Mental State Examination during the follow-up 3 visits (2014-2016). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the risk of cognitive impairment. RESULTS Compared with women with menopause at 50-54 years of age, the odds ratios (95% confidence interval) were 1.67 (1.32-2.11), 1.24 (1.08-1.44), and 1.06 (0.87- 1.29) for women who experienced menopause before 45 years, at 45-49 years of age, and after 54 years, respectively. Compared with women with 35-39 reproductive years from menarche to menopause, the odds ratios (95% confidence interval) were 1.28 (1.11-1.48) for women with <35 reproductive years. Furthermore, compared with women who had 1-2 children, the odds ratios (95% confidence interval) were 1.27 (1.04-1.55) for women who had more than 5 children, and the risk increased significantly by 5% per child birth (odds ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.09). Compared with those who had never used oral contraceptives, women with short-term use (≤5 years) of oral contraceptives had 26% lower odds of having cognitive impairment (odds ratio, 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.63-0.87), whereas the association was not statistically significant for those used for more than 5 years (odds ratio, 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.68-1.13). Women who used hormone-replacement therapy had a 39% lower odd of getting cognitive impairment compared with nonusers (odds ratio, 0.61; 95% confidence interval, 0.46-0.80). CONCLUSION Our data suggest that shorter reproductive years and greater parity were associated with a greater risk of cognitive impairment in late life, whereas the use of oral contraceptives and hormone-replacement therapy was associated with decreased risk. As the population ages, understanding how these factors affect late-life cognitive function in women may help health professionals develop preventive measures targeting lifetime estrogen exposure from endogenous or exogenous sources.
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Chen YC, Oyang YJ, Lin TY, Sun WZ. Risk assessment of dementia after hysterectomy: Analysis of 14-year data from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. J Chin Med Assoc 2020; 83:394-399. [PMID: 32149891 DOI: 10.1097/jcma.0000000000000286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anesthesia and surgery may increase the risk of dementia in the elderly, but the higher prevalence of dementia in women and other evidence suggest that dementia risk increases in younger women undergoing hysterectomy. In this study, we assessed the risk of dementia after hysterectomy. METHODS Hysterectomies registered in the National Health Insurance Research Database from 2000 to 2013 were evaluated using a retrospective generational research method. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to assess the effect of age at surgery, anesthesia method, and surgery type on the hazard ratio (HR) for the development of dementia. RESULTS Among 280 308 patients who underwent hysterectomy, 4753 (1.7%) developed dementia. Age at surgery and anesthesia method were associated with the occurrence of dementia, independent of surgery type. Among patients 30-49 years of age, general anesthesia (GA) was associated with a higher risk of dementia than spinal anesthesia (SA). The HR for GA was 2.678 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.269-5.650) and the risk of dementia increased by 7.4% for every 1-year increase in age (HR = 1.074; 95% CI = 1.048-1.101). In patients >50 years of age, the HR for GA was 1.206 (95% CI = 1.057-1.376), and the risk of dementia increased by 13.0% for every 1-year increase in age (HR = 1.130; 95% CI = 1.126-1.134). CONCLUSION The risk of dementia in women who underwent hysterectomy was significantly affected by older age at surgery, and the risk might not increase linearly with age, but show instead an S-curve with exponential increase at about 50 years of age. Although less significant, GA was associated with higher risk than SA, and the effect of the anesthesia method was greater in patients <50 years of age. In contrast, the surgical procedure used was not associated to the risk of dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chun Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yen-Jen Oyang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Electronics and Bioinformatics, College of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Tzu-Yun Lin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wei-Zen Sun
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Electronics and Bioinformatics, College of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Anesthesiology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
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Paganini-Hill A, Corrada MM, Kawas CH. Prior endogenous and exogenous estrogen and incident dementia in the 10th decade of life: The 90+ Study. Climacteric 2020; 23:311-315. [PMID: 32107945 DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2020.1727876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association of endogenous and exogenous estrogen exposure with risk of incident dementia in the oldest-old (age 90+ years).Methods: Participants were part of The 90+ Study, a longitudinal study begun in 2003 of aging and dementia among people aged 90+ years. Menstrual, reproductive, and menopausal data were collected in the 1980s as part of the population-based Leisure World Cohort Study. Cognitive status at baseline was determined from an in-person neurological evaluation with biannual follow-up through June 2019. Hazard ratios (HRs) of dementia associated with estrogen-related variables were estimated using Cox regression analysis. No adjustment was made for multiple comparisons.Results: A total of 424 women without dementia at baseline had at least one follow-up evaluation. The mean age was 68.5 years at enrollment in the Leisure World Cohort Study, 93.2 years at enrollment in The 90+ Study, and 96.5 years at last follow-up. During follow-up (mean 3.4 years) dementia was diagnosed in 209 (49%) participants. No individual menstrual, reproductive, menopausal, or estrogen replacement variable was associated with risk of incident dementia after age 90 years. However, women with a high endogenous estrogen exposure index (summarizing exposure from menarche to menopause) had a non-significant 25% lower risk (HR = 0.75, 95% confidence interval 0.53-1.06).Conclusions: Prior exposure to estrogen, endogenous or exogenous, had little effect on risk of dementia in the 10th decade of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Paganini-Hill
- Department of Neurology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - M M Corrada
- Department of Neurology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - C H Kawas
- Department of Neurology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.,Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
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Chen YC, Sun WZ. Postoperative cognitive dysfunction in premenopausal versus postmenopausal women. Climacteric 2019; 23:165-172. [DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2019.1653840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Y.-C. Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Anesthesiology, En Chun Kong Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - W.-Z. Sun
- Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Anesthesiology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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