1
|
Kim GW, Park K, Kim YH, Jeong GW. Altered brain morphology and functional connectivity in postmenopausal women: automatic segmentation of whole-brain and thalamic subnuclei and resting-state fMRI. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:4965-4979. [PMID: 38526330 PMCID: PMC11006480 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205662] [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: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
The transition to menopause is associated with various physiological changes, including alterations in brain structure and function. However, menopause-related structural and functional changes are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was not only to compare the brain volume changes between premenopausal and postmenopausal women, but also to evaluate the functional connectivity between the targeted brain regions associated with structural atrophy in postmenopausal women. Each 21 premenopausal and postmenopausal women underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). T1-weighted MRI and resting-state functional MRI data were used to compare the brain volume and seed-based functional connectivity, respectively. In statistical analysis, multivariate analysis of variance, with age and whole brain volume as covariates, was used to evaluate surface areas and subcortical volumes between the two groups. Postmenopausal women showed significantly smaller cortical surface, especially in the left medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC), right superior temporal cortex, and right lateral orbitofrontal cortex, compared to premenopausal women (p < 0.05, Bonferroni-corrected) as well as significantly decreased functional connectivity between the left mOFC and the right thalamus was observed (p < 0.005, Monte-Carlo corrected). Although postmenopausal women did not show volume atrophy in the right thalamus, the volume of the right pulvinar anterior, which is one of the distinguished thalamic subnuclei, was significantly decreased (p < 0.05, Bonferroni-corrected). Taken together, our findings suggest that diminished brain volume and functional connectivity may be linked to menopause-related symptoms caused by the lower sex hormone levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gwang-Won Kim
- Advanced Institute of Aging Science, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwangsung Park
- Advanced Institute of Aging Science, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
- Department of Urology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju 61469, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Hyeon Kim
- Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju 61469, Republic of Korea
| | - Gwang-Woo Jeong
- Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju 61469, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
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.
Collapse
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
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Moon CM, Heo SH, Yoon W, Baek BH, Shin SS, Kim SK, Lee YY. Altered Sexual Response-Related Functional Connectivity and Morphometric Changes Influenced by Sex Hormones across Menopausal Status. J Clin Med 2024; 13:387. [PMID: 38256520 PMCID: PMC10816754 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13020387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Our study retrospectively investigated differential patterns of the functional connectivity (FC) of core brain regions synchronous with morphometric changes associated with sexual dysfunction in menopausal women, and their correlations with sexual hormones. Twenty-three premenopausal women (mean age: 41.52 ± 7.38 years) and 21 menopausal women (mean age: 55.52 ± 2.80 years) underwent sex hormone level measurements with high-resolution T1 and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during rest, neutral, and sexual arousal conditions. Analysis of covariance adjusted for age was used to compare the FC and gray matter (GM) volume between the two groups. Menopausal women showed lower GM volumes in the superior frontal gyrus (SFG), superior temporal pole, parahippocampal gyrus (PHG), hippocampus (Hip), amygdala (Amg), and cerebellum (Cb) compared to premenopausal women (p < 0.05). In addition, compared to premenopausal women, menopausal women showed decreased FC of seed regions involved in the SFG, frontal eye fields, and Amg, as well as target regions involved in the PHG, Hip, inferior frontal gyrus, Cb, and vermis (p < 0.005). Furthermore, the FC between the right Amg and right Cb and between the left Amg and right Cb during sexual arousal in both groups was positively correlated with total estrogen and estradiol levels, respectively (p < 0.01). The GM volume values in the right Amg and right Cb were positively correlated with total estrogen and estradiol levels (p < 0.05). Our study demonstrated an association between menopause-related differential FC and GM volume variations and fluctuating sex hormones. Our findings highlight that overlapping brain regions with functional alterations and morphometric changes are closely linked with menopausal symptom-related decreases in sexual arousal and hormone levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chung Man Moon
- Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Chonnam National University, 264 Seoyang-ro, Hwasun-eup, Hwasun-gun 58128, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Suk Hee Heo
- Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, 322 Seoyang-ro, Hwasun-eup, Hwasun-gun 58128, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea
- Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Medical School, 42 Jebong-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju 61469, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Woong Yoon
- Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Medical School, 42 Jebong-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju 61469, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
- Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Hospital, 42 Jebong-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju 61469, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Hyun Baek
- Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Medical School, 42 Jebong-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju 61469, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
- Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Hospital, 42 Jebong-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju 61469, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Soo Shin
- Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Medical School, 42 Jebong-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju 61469, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
- Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Hospital, 42 Jebong-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju 61469, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Seul Kee Kim
- Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, 322 Seoyang-ro, Hwasun-eup, Hwasun-gun 58128, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea
- Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Medical School, 42 Jebong-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju 61469, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Young Lee
- Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Hospital, 42 Jebong-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju 61469, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Steventon JJ, Lancaster TM, Baker ES, Bracher-Smith M, Escott-Price V, Ruth KS, Davies W, Caseras X, Murphy K. Menopause age, reproductive span and hormone therapy duration predict the volume of medial temporal lobe brain structures in postmenopausal women. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 158:106393. [PMID: 37774659 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Medial temporal lobe (MTL) atrophy is correlated with risk and severity of Alzheimer disease (AD) pathology and cognitive decline. Increasing evidence suggest that oestrogens affect the aging of MTL structures. Here we investigate the relationship between reproductive hormone exposure, polygenic scores for AD risk and oestradiol concentration, MTL anatomy and cognitive performance in postmenopausal women. To this end, we used data from 10,924 female participants in the UK Biobank from whom brain MRI and genetic data were available. We fitted linear regression models to test whether the volume of structures comprising the MTL were predicted by a) timing related to menopause, b) the use and timing of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and c) polygenic scores for AD risk and oestradiol concentration. Results showed that longer use of HRT was associated with larger parahippocampal volumes (2.53 mm3/year, p = 0.042). A later age of natural menopause, and a longer reproductive span, was associated with larger hippocampal (6.08 and 5.72 mm3/year, p = 0.0006 and 0.0005), parahippocampal (4.17 mm3 and 4.19 mm3/year, p = 0.00006 and 0.00001), amygdala (2.10 and 2.22 mm3/year, p = 0.028 and 0.01) and perirhinal cortical (2.56 and 2.95 mm3/year, p = 0.028 and 0.008) volumes. Superior prospective memory performance was associated with later age at natural menopause, and a longer reproductive span (ß = 0.05 and 0.05 respectively, p = 0.019 and 0.019). Polygenic scores for AD risk and for oestradiol concentration were not associated with MTL volume and did not interact with menopause-related factors to affect MTL structure. Our results suggest that HRT use did not have any detrimental effects on cognition or brain structure, whilst greater exposure to reproductive hormones across time is associated both with slightly larger volumes of specific MTL structures and marginally superior memory performance, independent of genetic risk for AD and genetic predisposition for higher oestradiol levels. However, the clinical utility of maintenance of oestrogens post-menopause for brain health and protection against cognitive decline is curtailed by the small effect sizes observed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Emily Simmonds Baker
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Matthew Bracher-Smith
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Valentina Escott-Price
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Katherine S Ruth
- University of Exeter Medical School, RILD Level 3 Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, Barrack Road, Exeter EX2 5DW, UK
| | - William Davies
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, UK; MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Xavier Caseras
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, UK.
| | - Kevin Murphy
- Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), Cardiff University, UK; School of Physics and Astronomy, Cardiff University, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nerattini M, Jett S, Andy C, Carlton C, Zarate C, Boneu C, Battista M, Pahlajani S, Loeb-Zeitlin S, Havryulik Y, Williams S, Christos P, Fink M, Brinton RD, Mosconi L. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of menopause hormone therapy on risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1260427. [PMID: 37937120 PMCID: PMC10625913 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1260427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Despite a large preclinical literature demonstrating neuroprotective effects of estrogen, use of menopausal hormone therapy (HT) for Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk reduction has been controversial. Herein, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of HT effects on AD and dementia risk. Methods Our systematic search yielded 6 RCT reports (21,065 treated and 20,997 placebo participants) and 45 observational reports (768,866 patient cases and 5.5 million controls). We used fixed and random effect meta-analysis to derive pooled relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (C.I.) from these studies. Results Randomized controlled trials conducted in postmenopausal women ages 65 and older show an increased risk of dementia with HT use compared with placebo [RR = 1.38, 95% C.I. 1.16-1.64, p < 0.001], driven by estrogen-plus-progestogen therapy (EPT) [RR = 1.64, 95% C.I. 1.20-2.25, p = 0.002] and no significant effects of estrogen-only therapy (ET) [RR = 1.19, 95% C.I. 0.92-1.54, p = 0.18]. Conversely, observational studies indicate a reduced risk of AD [RR = 0.78, 95% C.I. 0.64-0.95, p = 0.013] and all-cause dementia [RR = .81, 95% C.I. 0.70-0.94, p = 0.007] with HT use, with protective effects noted with ET [RR = 0.86, 95% C.I. 0.77-0.95, p = 0.002] but not with EPT [RR = 0.910, 95% C.I. 0.775-1.069, p = 0.251]. Stratified analysis of pooled estimates indicates a 32% reduced risk of dementia with midlife ET [RR = 0.685, 95% C.I. 0.513-0.915, p = 0.010] and non-significant reductions with midlife EPT [RR = 0.775, 95% C.I. 0.474-1.266, p = 0.309]. Late-life HT use was associated with increased risk, albeit not significant [EPT: RR = 1.323, 95% C.I. 0.979-1.789, p = 0.069; ET: RR = 1.066, 95% C.I. 0.996-1.140, p = 0.066]. Discussion These findings support renewed research interest in evaluating midlife estrogen therapy for AD risk reduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matilde Nerattini
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Nuclear Medicine Unit, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Steven Jett
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Caroline Andy
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Caroline Carlton
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Camila Zarate
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Camila Boneu
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Michael Battista
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Silky Pahlajani
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Susan Loeb-Zeitlin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Yelena Havryulik
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Schantel Williams
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Paul Christos
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Matthew Fink
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Roberta Diaz Brinton
- Department of Neurology and Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Lisa Mosconi
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Nuclear Medicine Unit, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kim TH, Kim B, Kim YR, Jeong CW, Lee YH. Gray matter differences associated with menopausal hormone therapy in menopausal women: a DARTEL-based VBM study. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1401. [PMID: 36697505 PMCID: PMC9877025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28673-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) in women can reduce troublesome menopause symptoms and prevent cognitive decline. This cross-sectional study investigated the MHT-related effect on brain morphology and its association with sex hormones in menopausal women by using an optimized diffeomorphic anatomical registration through exponentiated Lie algebra (DARTEL)-based voxel-based morphometry (VBM) method. Twenty-one menopausal women without MHT (noMHT) and 20 menopausal women with MHT were included in this study. Magnetic resonance imaging data were processed using SPM 12 with DARTEL-based VBM whole brain analysis approach. A 2-sample t-test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) adjusting for age and total intracranial volume were used to compare GM volume between noMHT and MHT women. The association between MHT (treatment period, hormones levels) and brain volume variations were analyzed by Spearman correlation. MHT women showed significantly larger volumes of the superior/middle/inferior frontal gyri, hypothalamus, inferior temporal gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, hippocampus, cerebellar cortex, postcentral gyrus, precuneus, angular gyrus, supplementary motor area, superior occipital gyrus, and precentral gyrus compared to the noMHT women. The volumes of the angular gyrus and hypothalamus in MHT women positively correlated with treatment period. On the other hand, the hypothalamic volume negatively correlated with FSH and LH levels, and the volumes of the inferior frontal gyrus, and angular gyrus negatively correlated with progesterone levels, respectively. MHT-treated women showed larger GM volume than noMHT women. The anatomical structures that showed greater volume in association with MHT included the deep brain areas, frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital gyri.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tae-Hoon Kim
- Medical Convergence Research Center, Wonkwang University and Hospital, Iksan, 54538, Republic of Korea.
| | - ByoungRyun Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wonkwang University Hospital, Iksan, 54538, Republic of Korea
| | - Youe Ree Kim
- Department of Radiology, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, 54538, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Won Jeong
- Medical Convergence Research Center, Wonkwang University and Hospital, Iksan, 54538, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Hwan Lee
- Department of Radiology, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, 54538, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ballard HK, Jackson TB, Hicks TH, Bernard JA. The association of reproductive stage with lobular cerebellar network connectivity across female adulthood. Neurobiol Aging 2022; 117:139-150. [PMID: 35738086 PMCID: PMC10149146 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2022.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Sex-specific differences in the aging cerebellum may be related to hormone changes with menopause. We evaluated the association between reproductive stage and lobular cerebellar network connectivity using data from the Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience repository. We used raw structural and resting state neuroimaging data and information regarding age, sex, and menopause-related variables. Crus I and II and Lobules V and VI were our cerebellar seeds of interest. We characterized reproductive stage using the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop criteria. Results show that postmenopausal females have lower cerebello-striatal and cerebello-cortical connectivity, particularly in frontal regions, along with lower connectivity within the cerebellum, compared to reproductive females. Postmenopausal females also exhibit greater connectivity in some brain areas as well. Differences begin to emerge across transitional stages of menopause. Further, results reveal sex-specific differences in connectivity between female reproductive groups and age-matched male control groups. This suggests that menopause may be associated with cerebellar network connectivity in aging females, and sex differences in the aging brain may be related to this biological process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah K Ballard
- Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
| | - T Bryan Jackson
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Tracey H Hicks
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Jessica A Bernard
- Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Hicks TH, Ballard HK, Sang H, Bernard JA. Age-volume associations in cerebellar lobules by sex and reproductive stage. Brain Struct Funct 2022; 227:2439-2455. [PMID: 35876952 PMCID: PMC10167909 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-022-02535-5] [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: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The cerebellum has established associations with motor function and a well-recognized role in cognition. In advanced age, cognitive and motor impairments contribute to reduced quality of life and are more common. Regional cerebellar volume is associated with performance across these domains and sex hormones may influence this volume. Examining sex differences in regional cerebellar volume in conjunction with age, and in the context of reproductive stage stands to improve our understanding of cerebellar aging and pathology. Data from 508 healthy adults (ages 18-88; 47% female) from the Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience database were used here. CERES was used to assess lobular volume in T1-weighted images. We examined sex differences in adjusted regional cerebellar volume while controlling for age. A subgroup of participants (n = 370, 50% female) was used to assess group differences in female reproductive stages as compared to age-matched males. Sex differences in adjusted volume were seen across most anterior and posterior cerebellar lobules. Most of these lobules had significant linear relationships with age in males and females. While there were no interactions between sex and reproductive stage groups, exploratory analyses in females alone revealed multiple regional differences by reproductive stage. We found sex differences in volume across much of the cerebellum, linear associations with age, and did not find an interaction for sex and reproductive stage on regional cerebellar volume. Longitudinal investigation into hormonal influences on cerebellar structure and function is warranted as hormonal changes with menopause may impact cerebellar volume over time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tracey H Hicks
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, 4235 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77840, USA.
| | - Hannah K Ballard
- Texas A&M University Institute for Neuroscience, 3474 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Huiyan Sang
- Department of Statistics, Texas A&M University, 3143 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Jessica A Bernard
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, 4235 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77840, USA
- Texas A&M University Institute for Neuroscience, 3474 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Hormonal Agents for the Treatment of Depression Associated with the Menopause. Drugs Aging 2022; 39:607-618. [PMID: 35908135 PMCID: PMC9355926 DOI: 10.1007/s40266-022-00962-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Perimenopause marks the transition from a woman’s reproductive stage to menopause. Usually occurring between 42 and 52 years of age, it is determined clinically by the onset of irregular menstrual cycles or variable cycle lengths. Women are at an increased risk of depression and anxiety during perimenopause and the menopausal transition. Depressive symptoms experienced in perimenopause are often more severe compared to pre- and post-menopause. During menopausal transition, the impact of fluctuating estrogen in the central nervous system (CNS) can have negative psychological effects for some women. Traditional first-line management of menopausal depression involves antidepressants, with modest outcomes. The positive effects of estrogen treatment in the CNS are becoming increasingly recognised, and hormonal therapy (HT) with estrogen may have a role in the treatment of menopausal depression. In this review we will outline the prevalence, impact and neurochemical basis of menopausal-associated depression, as well as hormone-based approaches that have increasing promise as effective treatments.
Collapse
|
10
|
Jett S, Schelbaum E, Jang G, Boneu Yepez C, Dyke JP, Pahlajani S, Diaz Brinton R, Mosconi L. Ovarian steroid hormones: A long overlooked but critical contributor to brain aging and Alzheimer's disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:948219. [PMID: 35928995 PMCID: PMC9344010 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.948219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian hormones, particularly 17β-estradiol, are involved in numerous neurophysiological and neurochemical processes, including those subserving cognitive function. Estradiol plays a key role in the neurobiology of aging, in part due to extensive interconnectivity of the neural and endocrine system. This aspect of aging is fundamental for women's brains as all women experience a drop in circulating estradiol levels in midlife, after menopause. Given the importance of estradiol for brain function, it is not surprising that up to 80% of peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women report neurological symptoms including changes in thermoregulation (vasomotor symptoms), mood, sleep, and cognitive performance. Preclinical evidence for neuroprotective effects of 17β-estradiol also indicate associations between menopause, cognitive aging, and Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia affecting nearly twice more women than men. Brain imaging studies demonstrated that middle-aged women exhibit increased indicators of AD endophenotype as compared to men of the same age, with onset in perimenopause. Herein, we take a translational approach to illustrate the contribution of ovarian hormones in maintaining cognition in women, with evidence implicating menopause-related declines in 17β-estradiol in cognitive aging and AD risk. We will review research focused on the role of endogenous and exogenous estrogen exposure as a key underlying mechanism to neuropathological aging in women, with a focus on whether brain structure, function and neurochemistry respond to hormone treatment. While still in development, this research area offers a new sex-based perspective on brain aging and risk of AD, while also highlighting an urgent need for better integration between neurology, psychiatry, and women's health practices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steven Jett
- 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
| | - Camila Boneu Yepez
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jonathan P. Dyke
- Department of Radiology, 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
| | - 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
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Zhang S, Fan W, Hu H, Wen L, Gong M, Liu B, Hu J, Li G, Zhang D. Subcortical Volume Changes in Early Menopausal Women and Correlation With Neuropsychological Tests. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:738679. [PMID: 34955807 PMCID: PMC8692945 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.738679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The aging process and declining estradiol levels are two important factors that cause structural brain alterations. Many prior studies have investigated these two elements and revealed controversial results in menopausal women. Here, a cross-sectional study was designed to individually evaluate estradiol-related structural changes in the brain. Methods: A total of 45 early menopausal women and 54 age-matched premenopausal controls were enrolled and subjected to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, blood biochemistry tests, and neuropsychological tests. MRI structural images were analyzed using FreeSurfer to detect changes in subcortical and cortical volumes as well as cortical thickness. Finally, structural brain data as well as clinical and neuropsychological data were used for Pearson's correlation analyses to individually determine estradiol-related structural and functional changes in the brains of early menopausal women. Results: Compared with the premenopausal controls, the early menopausal women showed significant subcortical volumetric loss in the left amygdala and right amygdala, higher serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, more recognizable climacteric and depressive symptoms, decreased quality of sleep, and decreased working memory and executive functions. Simultaneously, FSH levels were related to lower working memory accuracy and longer working memory reaction time. Decreased subcortical volume in the bilateral amygdala was also related to lower working memory accuracy and longer executive reaction time in early menopausal women. Conclusion: The data suggest that estradiol deficiency in early menopausal women can lead to subcortical volume and functional brain changes, which may contribute to further understanding the neurobiological role of declined estradiol levels in early menopausal women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Si Zhang
- Department of Radiology, XinQiao Hosptial, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Weijie Fan
- Department of Radiology, XinQiao Hosptial, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hao Hu
- Department of Radiology, XinQiao Hosptial, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Wen
- Department of Radiology, XinQiao Hosptial, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Mingfu Gong
- Department of Radiology, XinQiao Hosptial, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Radiology, XinQiao Hosptial, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Junhao Hu
- Department of Radiology, XinQiao Hosptial, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guanghui Li
- Department of Radiology, XinQiao Hosptial, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dong Zhang
- Department of Radiology, XinQiao Hosptial, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Bernard JA, Ballard HK, Jackson TB. Cerebellar Dentate Connectivity across Adulthood: A Large-Scale Resting State Functional Connectivity Investigation. Cereb Cortex Commun 2021; 2:tgab050. [PMID: 34527949 PMCID: PMC8436571 DOI: 10.1093/texcom/tgab050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebellar contributions to behavior in advanced age are of interest and importance, given its role in motor and cognitive performance. There are differences and declines in cerebellar structure in advanced age and cerebellar resting state connectivity is lower. However, the work on this area to date has focused on the cerebellar cortex. The deep cerebellar nuclei provide the primary cerebellar inputs and outputs to the cortex, as well as the spinal and vestibular systems. Dentate networks can be dissociated such that the dorsal region is associated with the motor cortex, whereas the ventral aspect is associated with the prefrontal cortex. However, whether dentato-thalamo-cortical networks differ across adulthood remains unknown. Here, using a large adult sample (n = 590) from the Cambridge Center for Ageing and Neuroscience, we investigated dentate connectivity across adulthood. We replicated past work showing dissociable resting state networks in the dorsal and ventral aspects of the dentate. In both seeds, we demonstrated that connectivity is lower with advanced age, indicating that connectivity differences extend beyond the cerebellar cortex. Finally, we demonstrated sex differences in dentate connectivity. This expands our understanding of cerebellar circuitry in advanced age and underscores the potential importance of this structure in age-related performance differences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Bernard
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Hannah K Ballard
- Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Trevor Bryan Jackson
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Jensen DEA, Leoni V, Klein-Flügge MC, Ebmeier KP, Suri S. Associations of dietary markers with brain volume and connectivity: A systematic review of MRI studies. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 70:101360. [PMID: 33991658 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The high prevalence of unhealthy dietary patterns and related brain disorders, such as dementia, emphasizes the importance of research that examines the effect of dietary factors on brain health. Identifying markers of brain health, such as volume and connectivity, that relate to diet is an important first step towards understanding the lifestyle determinants of healthy brain ageing. We conducted a systematic review of 52 studies (total n = 21,221 healthy participants aged 26-80 years, 55 % female) that assessed with a range of MRI measurements, which brain areas, connections, and cerebrovascular factors were associated with dietary markers. We report associations between regional brain measures and dietary health. Collectively, lower diet quality was related to reduced brain volume and connectivity, especially in white and grey matter of the frontal, temporal and parietal lobe, cingulate, entorhinal cortex and the hippocampus. Associations were also observed in connecting fibre pathways and in particular the default-mode, sensorimotor and attention networks. However, there were also some inconsistencies in research methods and findings. We recommend that future research use more comprehensive and consistent dietary measures, more representative samples, and examine the role of key subcortical regions previously highlighted in relevant animal work.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daria E A Jensen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK; Oxford Centre for Human Brain Activity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, OX37JX, UK.
| | - Virginia Leoni
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Miriam C Klein-Flügge
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Tinsley building, OX1 3SR, UK
| | | | - Sana Suri
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK; Oxford Centre for Human Brain Activity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, OX37JX, UK
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Li Y, Dreher JC. A review of the impact of hormone therapy on prefrontal structure and function at menopause. Climacteric 2021; 24:340-349. [PMID: 33703983 DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2021.1889500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The menopause transition arises mainly from a decline in ovarian function characterized by a decrease in levels of ovarian estrogens (estradiol) and progesterone in women. Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) has been used to counteract menopause-associated symptoms in postmenopausal women. With the development of advanced brain imaging methods, understanding MHT-related effects on brain structures and functions could help advance our understanding of the biological consequence of MHT-related effects on behavior, thereby contributing to developing new strategies for optimizing brain health during the menopause transition. This review focuses on the human research related to the impact of MHT on structural and functional organization of the prefrontal cortex in postmenopausal women. Although such MHT-related effects on brain structures and functions have only begun to be understood, it may be useful to examine present findings to identify areas for future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y Li
- Reward, Competition and Social Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychology, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.,Institute for Brain Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - J-C Dreher
- Reward, Competition and Social Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychology, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.,Institute for Brain Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.,Neuroeconomics Laboratory, Institut des Sciences Cognitives Marc Jeannerod, CNRS UMR 5229, Bron, France
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Rehbein E, Hornung J, Sundström Poromaa I, Derntl B. Shaping of the Female Human Brain by Sex Hormones: A Review. Neuroendocrinology 2021; 111:183-206. [PMID: 32155633 DOI: 10.1159/000507083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Traditionally sex hormones have been associated with reproductive and developmental processes only. Since the 1950s we know that hormones can have organizational effects on the developing brain and initiate hormonal transition periods such as puberty. However, recent evidence shows that sex hormones additionally structure the brain during important hormonal transition periods across a woman's life including short-term fluctuations during the menstrual cycle. However, a comprehensive review focusing on structural changes during all hormonal transition phases of women is still missing. Therefore, in this review structural changes across hormonal transition periods (i.e., puberty, menstrual cycle, oral contraceptive intake, pregnancy and menopause) were investigated in a structured way and correlations with sex hormones evaluated. Results show an overall reduction in grey matter and region-specific decreases in prefrontal, parietal and middle temporal areas during puberty. Across the menstrual cycle grey matter plasticity in the hippocampus, the amygdala as well as temporal and parietal regions were most consistently reported. Studies reporting on pre- and post-pregnancy measurements revealed volume reductions in midline structures as well as prefrontal and temporal cortices. During perimenopause, the decline in sex hormones was paralleled with a reduction in hippocampal and parietal cortex volume. Brain volume changes were significantly correlated with estradiol, testosterone and progesterone levels in some studies, but directionality remains inconclusive between studies. These results indicate that sex hormones play an important role in shaping women's brain structure during different transition periods and are not restricted to specific developmental periods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Rehbein
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Innovative Neuroimaging, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany,
| | - Jonas Hornung
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Innovative Neuroimaging, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Birgit Derntl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Innovative Neuroimaging, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Lead Graduate School, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Boyle CP, Raji CA, Erickson KI, Lopez OL, Becker JT, Gach HM, Kuller LH, Longstreth W, Carmichael OT, Riedel BC, Thompson PM. Estrogen, brain structure, and cognition in postmenopausal women. Hum Brain Mapp 2021; 42:24-35. [PMID: 32910516 PMCID: PMC7721237 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Declining estrogen levels before, during, and after menopause can affect memory and risk for Alzheimer's disease. Undesirable side effects of hormone variations emphasize a role for hormone therapy (HT) where possible benefits include a delay in the onset of dementia-yet findings are inconsistent. Effects of HT may be mediated by estrogen receptors found throughout the brain. Effects may also depend on lifestyle factors, timing of use, and genetic risk. We studied the impact of self-reported HT use on brain volume in 562 elderly women (71-94 years) with mixed cognitive status while adjusting for aforementioned factors. Covariate-adjusted voxelwise linear regression analyses using a model with 16 predictors showed HT use as positively associated with regional brain volumes, regardless of cognitive status. Examinations of other factors related to menopause, oophorectomy and hysterectomy status independently yielded positive effects on brain volume when added to our model. One interaction term, HTxBMI, out of several examined, revealed significant negative association with overall brain volume, suggesting a greater reduction in brain volume than BMI alone. Our main findings relating HT to regional brain volume were as hypothesized, but some exploratory analyses were not in line with existing hypotheses. Studies suggest lower levels of estrogen resulting from oophorectomy and hysterectomy affect brain volume negatively, and the addition of HT modifies the relation between BMI and brain volume positively. Effects of HT may depend on the age range assessed, motivating studies with a wider age range as well as a randomized design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christina P. Boyle
- Imaging Genetics Center, Mark & Mary Stevens Institute for Neuroimaging & Informatics, Keck School of MedicineUniversity of Southern CaliforniaMarina del ReyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Cyrus A. Raji
- Mallinckrodt Institute of RadiologyWashington UniversitySt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Kirk I. Erickson
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Pittsburgh Medical CenterPittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Oscar L. Lopez
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Pittsburgh Medical CenterPittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - James T. Becker
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Pittsburgh Medical CenterPittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Pittsburgh Medical CenterPittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Pittsburgh Medical CenterPittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - H. Michael Gach
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, Radiology, and Biomedical EngineeringWashington UniversitySt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Lewis H. Kuller
- Department of EpidemiologyUniversity of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public HealthPittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - William Longstreth
- Departments of Neurology and EpidemiologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | | | - Brandalyn C. Riedel
- Imaging Genetics Center, Mark & Mary Stevens Institute for Neuroimaging & Informatics, Keck School of MedicineUniversity of Southern CaliforniaMarina del ReyCaliforniaUSA
- Department of Radiology and Imaging SciencesIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
| | - Paul M. Thompson
- Imaging Genetics Center, Mark & Mary Stevens Institute for Neuroimaging & Informatics, Keck School of MedicineUniversity of Southern CaliforniaMarina del ReyCaliforniaUSA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
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.
Collapse
|
19
|
Beltz AM, Moser JS. Ovarian hormones: a long overlooked but critical contributor to cognitive brain structures and function. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2020; 1464:156-180. [DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adriene M. Beltz
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan
| | - Jason S. Moser
- Department of PsychologyMichigan State University East Lansing Michigan
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Schneider MA, Spritzer PM, Suh JS, Minuzzi L, Frey BN, Schwarz K, Costa AB, da Silva DC, Garcia CCG, Fontanari AMV, Anes M, Castan JU, Cunegatto FR, Picon FA, Luders E, Lobato MIR. The Link between Estradiol and Neuroplasticity in Transgender Women after Gender-Affirming Surgery: A Bimodal Hypothesis. Neuroendocrinology 2020; 110:489-500. [PMID: 31461715 DOI: 10.1159/000502977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
For transgender individuals, gender-affirming surgery (GAS) and cross-sex hormone therapy (CSHT) are part of the gender transition process. Scientific evidence supporting the maintenance of CSHT after GAS-related gonadectomy is accumulating. However, few data are available on the impact of CSHT on the brain structure following hypogonadism. Thus, we aimed to investigate links between estradiol and brain cortical thickness (CTh) and cognition in 18 post-gonadectomy transgender women using a longitudinal design. For this purpose, the participants underwent a voluntary period of CSHT washout of at least 30 days, followed by estradiol re-institution for 60 days. High-resolution T1-weighted brain images, hormonal measures, working and verbal memory were collected at 2 time points: on the last day of the washout (t1) and on the last day of the 2-month CSHT period (t2). Between these 2 time points, CTh increased within the left precentral gyrus and right precuneus but decreased within the right lateral occipital cortex. However, these findings did not survive corrections of multiple comparisons. Nevertheless, there was a significant negative correlation between changes in estradiol levels and changes in CTh. This effect was evident in the left superior frontal gyrus, the left middle temporal gyrus, the right precuneus, the right superior temporal gyrus, and the right pars opercularis. Although there was an improvement in verbal memory following hypogonadism correction, we did not observe a significant relationship between changes in memory scores and CTh. Altogether, these findings suggest that there is a link between estradiol and CTh.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maiko A Schneider
- Gender Identity Program, Psychiatry Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil,
- Mood Disorders Program and Women's Health Concerns Clinic, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada,
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada,
| | - Poli M Spritzer
- Gender Identity Program, Psychiatry Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Department of Physiology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Jee Su Suh
- Mood Disorders Program and Women's Health Concerns Clinic, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Luciano Minuzzi
- Mood Disorders Program and Women's Health Concerns Clinic, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Benicio N Frey
- Mood Disorders Program and Women's Health Concerns Clinic, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karine Schwarz
- Gender Identity Program, Psychiatry Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Angelo B Costa
- Graduate Program in Psychology, Pontifícia Universidade do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Dhiordan C da Silva
- Gender Identity Program, Psychiatry Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Post-Graduation Program, Universidade Federal do Rio Grand do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Claudia C G Garcia
- Gender Identity Program, Psychiatry Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Post-Graduation Program, Universidade Federal do Rio Grand do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Anna M V Fontanari
- Gender Identity Program, Psychiatry Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Post-Graduation Program, Universidade Federal do Rio Grand do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Mauricio Anes
- Medical Physics and Radiation Protection Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Juliana U Castan
- Psychology Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Felipe A Picon
- ADHD Outpatient Program, Adult Division, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Eileen Luders
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Maria I R Lobato
- Gender Identity Program, Psychiatry Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Mood Disorders Program and Women's Health Concerns Clinic, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Psychiatry and Forensic Medical Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Brain Morphological Changes With Functional Deficit Associated With Sexual Arousal in Postmenopausal Women. Sex Med 2019; 7:480-488. [PMID: 31606354 PMCID: PMC6963119 DOI: 10.1016/j.esxm.2019.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2018] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We have not known how menopause synchronously influences brain morphology and function associated with visually stimulated sexual arousal in postmenopausal women. AIM This study used a combination of functional magnetic resonance imaging and voxel-based morphometry to evaluate menopause-related brain morphological and functional changes in postmenopausal women. METHODS Nineteen premenopausal women and 19 postmenopausal women underwent functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging. Brain function activity was measured while the subjects viewed an erotic video clip. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES A 2-sample t-test was used for cross-analysis of the 2 groups for comparison of gray matter volumes (corrected P < .05) and brain activation (uncorrected P < .01). RESULTS Our study revealed a relationship between sexual function and morphological changes in postmenopausal women. Compared with premenopausal women, the postmenopausal group showed significantly lower brain activations in the major parts of the limbic system and basal ganglia, including the parahippocampal gyrus, head of caudate nucleus, insula, putamen, hippocampus, hypothalamus, amygdala, and globus pallidus, which are involved in sexual behavior and emotional responses. In morphometric analyses, postmenopausal women showed significantly decreased gray matter volumes of the insula, putamen, parahippocampal gyrus, amygdala, and anterior cingulate gyrus, most of which were associated with decreased functional activity during visual sexual arousal in postmenopausal women. In addition, the premenopausal group alone showed a positive correlation between the activity of the insula and the level of estradiol (Pearson correlation r = 0.588; P = .008). CONCLUSION This study demonstrates an association between menopause-related brain function and morphological changes in postmenopausal women. This finding provides insight into the neural mechanisms associated with the sexual functional deficit in postmenopausal women. Baek H-S, Kim G-W, Sundaram T, et al. Brain Morphological Changes with Functional Deficit Associated with Sexual Arousal in Postmenopausal Women. Sex Med 2019;7:480-488.
Collapse
|
22
|
Lu W, Guo W, Hou K, Zhao H, Shi L, Dong K, Qiu J. Grey matter differences associated with age and sex hormone levels between premenopausal and perimenopausal women: A voxel-based morphometry study. J Neuroendocrinol 2018; 30:e12655. [PMID: 30372794 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 09/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The present study aimed to explore brain morphological alterations associated with age and sex hormone levels between premenopausal and perimenopausal women using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T1 -weighted structural images. Thirty-two premenopausal women aged (mean ± SD) 47.75 ± 1.55 years and twenty-five recently perimenopausal women aged 51.60 ± 1.63 years were evaluated for sex hormone levels, including prolactin, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone, oestradiol, free testosterone and progesterone. A 3.0-Tesla MRI scanner was utilised to acquire T1 images. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was used to evaluate changes in grey matter volume between the two groups. The general linear model was applied with false discovery rate correction for between group voxel-wise statistics. Spearman partial correlation analyses were conducted between age, sex hormone levels and regions of grey matter volume showing significant differences between the two groups. The VBM analysis revealed that age and menopause per se lead to grey matter volume reduction in certain brain structures. These structural changes might be potential causes of sexual dysfunction, nervous system degeneration and depression, which need to be examined in future studies. Our findings might provide evidence and guide future research in understanding the menopausal transition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weizhao Lu
- Medical Engineering and Technical Center, Taishan Medcial University, Taian, China
- Department of Radiology, Taishan Medical University, Taian, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Affiliated Hospital of Taishan Medical University, Taian, China
| | - Kun Hou
- Medical Engineering and Technical Center, Taishan Medcial University, Taian, China
- Department of Radiology, Taishan Medical University, Taian, China
| | - Huihui Zhao
- Medical Engineering and Technical Center, Taishan Medcial University, Taian, China
- Department of Radiology, Taishan Medical University, Taian, China
| | - Liting Shi
- Medical Engineering and Technical Center, Taishan Medcial University, Taian, China
- Department of Radiology, Taishan Medical University, Taian, China
| | - Kejiang Dong
- Department of Radiology, Taishan Medical University, Taian, China
| | - Jianfeng Qiu
- Medical Engineering and Technical Center, Taishan Medcial University, Taian, China
- Department of Radiology, Taishan Medical University, Taian, China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Zhang S, Hu J, Fan W, Liu B, Wen L, Wang G, Gong M, Yang C, Zhang D. Aberrant Cerebral Activity in Early Postmenopausal Women: A Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:454. [PMID: 30534056 PMCID: PMC6275219 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Early postmenopausal women frequently suffer from cognitive impairments and emotional disorders, such as lack of attention, poor memory, deficits in executive function and depression. However, the underlying mechanisms of these impairments remain unclear. Method: Forty-three early postmenopausal women and forty-four age-matched premenopausal controls underwent serum sex hormone analysis, neuropsychological testing and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Degree centrality (DC) analysis was performed to confirm the peak points of the functionally abnormal brain areas as the centers of the seeds. Subsequently, the functional connectivity (FC) between these abnormal seeds and other voxels across the whole brain was calculated. Finally, the sex hormone levels, neuroimaging indices and neuropsychological data were combined to detect potential correlations. Results: Compared with the premenopausal controls, the early postmenopausal women exhibited significantly higher serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, more severe climacteric and depressive symptoms, worse sleep quality and more extensive cognitive impairments. Concurrently, the neuroimaging results showed elevated DC values in the left amygdala (AMYG.L), reduced DC values in the left middle occipital gyrus (MOG.L) and right middle occipital gyrus (MOG.R). When we used the AMYG.L as the seed point, FC with the left insula (INS.L), bilateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) and right superior frontal gyrus (SFG.R) was increased; these regions are related to depressive states, poor sleep quality and decreased executive function. When bilateral MOG were used as the seed points, FC with left inferior parietal gyrus (IPG.L), this area closely associated with impaired memory, was decreased. Conclusion: These results illuminated the regional and network-level brain dysfunction in early postmenopausal women, which might provide information on the underlying mechanisms of the different cognitive impairments and emotional alterations observed in this group.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Si Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Xinqiao Hosptial, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Junhao Hu
- Department of Radiology, Xinqiao Hosptial, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Weijie Fan
- Department of Radiology, Xinqiao Hosptial, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Radiology, Xinqiao Hosptial, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Wen
- Department of Radiology, Xinqiao Hosptial, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guangxian Wang
- Department of Radiology, Xinqiao Hosptial, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Mingfu Gong
- Department of Radiology, Xinqiao Hosptial, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chunyan Yang
- Department of Radiology, Xinqiao Hosptial, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dong Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Xinqiao Hosptial, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Frizell B, Dumas JA. Examining the Relationship Between Neurosteroids, Cognition, and Menopause With Neuroimaging Methods. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2018; 20:96. [PMID: 30221332 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-018-0963-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Previous literature has shown inconsistent findings regarding the effects of neurosteroids on the brain in postmenopausal women. The goal of this paper is to examine how and whether advances in neuroimaging have helped elucidate the relationship between the withdrawal of and/or treatment with neurosteroids and cognition at menopause. RECENT FINDINGS Neuroimaging techniques such as structural and functional MRI have been used in recent studies to examine the relationship between neurosteroids and brain structure and functioning. However, the recent literature shows that different formulations of postmenopausal hormones given at different times, through different routes of administration, and in different combinations with progestins result in a variety of relationships with the brain outcomes. We suggest that still further research is needed to understand how the structural changes resulting from estrogen withdrawal or therapy at menopause can influence cognitive functioning. However, imaging studies are time-, resource-, and expertise-intensive. We believe that this information will help uncover the mechanisms and relationships that can aid in the explanation of the individual differences in the effects of menopause on the brain as well as how this menopause-related hormone change influences risk for pathological aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Baillie Frizell
- Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Robert Larner M.D. College of Medicine, University of Vermont, 1 South Prospect St, Burlington, VT, 05401, USA
| | - Julie A Dumas
- Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Robert Larner M.D. College of Medicine, University of Vermont, 1 South Prospect St, Burlington, VT, 05401, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Brinton RD. Neuroendocrinology: Oestrogen therapy affects brain structure but not function. Nat Rev Neurol 2018; 12:561-2. [PMID: 27677967 PMCID: PMC10128623 DOI: 10.1038/nrneurol.2016.147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Diaz Brinton
- University of Arizona Center for Innovation in Brain Science, College of Medicine, 1501 North Campbell Avenue, P.O. BOX 245126, Tucson, Arizona 85724-5126, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Kim GW, Park K, Jeong GW. Effects of Sex Hormones and Age on Brain Volume in Post-Menopausal Women. J Sex Med 2018; 15:662-670. [PMID: 29628218 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2018.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Revised: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Investigation of the effect of sex hormones on the brain volume in women provides a unique opportunity to examine menopause-related morphometric alterations. AIM To evaluate brain morphological alterations in post-menopausal women using voxel-based morphometry and its correlations with sex hormone levels. METHODS 20 Pre-menopausal women and 20 post-menopausal women underwent structural MRI. OUTCOMES T1-weighted magnetic resonance data were acquired and serum sex hormones including total estrogen, estriol, estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone, free testosterone, SHBG, and luteinizing hormone were measured. RESULTS Post-menopausal women showed decreased gray matter (GM) in the supplementary motor area (SMA), inferior frontal gyrus, olfactory cortex, and superior temporal gyrus as contrasted with pre-menopausal women using analysis of covariance (P < .05). The GM volume (GMV) values of the SMA, inferior frontal gyrus, and superior temporal gyrus were positively correlated with the levels of E2 in the pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women, in which the volume of the SMA was negatively correlated with the duration of time after menopause in post-menopausal women. CLINICAL TRANSLATION This finding is potentially applicable to assess the brain dysfunction with morphological changes in post-menopausal women. CONCLUSIONS Our study is the first to evaluate a direct relationship between the level of E2 and GMV change. We directly compared pre-menopausal and menopausal women un-matched in age. This study highlights the menopause-related morphological alterations in post-menopausal women, suggesting that the reduced GMV were closely associated with the symptoms of menopause caused by the decreased levels of E2. Kim G-W, Park K, Jeong G-W. Effects of Sex Hormones and Age on Brain Volume in Post-Menopausal Women. J Sex Med 2018;15:662-670.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gwang-Won Kim
- Advanced Institute of Aging Science, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwangsung Park
- Advanced Institute of Aging Science, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea; Department of Urology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Gwang-Woo Jeong
- Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Hedges VL, Chen G, Yu L, Krentzel AA, Starrett JR, Zhu JN, Suntharalingam P, Remage-Healey L, Wang JJ, Ebner TJ, Mermelstein PG. Local Estrogen Synthesis Regulates Parallel Fiber-Purkinje Cell Neurotransmission Within the Cerebellar Cortex. Endocrinology 2018; 159:1328-1338. [PMID: 29381778 PMCID: PMC5839732 DOI: 10.1210/en.2018-00039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Estrogens affect cerebellar activity and cerebellum-based behaviors. Within the adult rodent cerebellum, the best-characterized action of estradiol is to enhance glutamatergic signaling. However, the mechanisms by which estradiol promotes glutamatergic neurotransmission remain unknown. Within the mouse cerebellum, we found that estrogen receptor activation of metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1a strongly enhances neurotransmission at the parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapse. The blockade of local estrogen synthesis within the cerebellum results in a diminution of glutamatergic neurotransmission. Correspondingly, decreased estrogen availability via gonadectomy or blockade of aromatase activity negatively affects locomotor performance. These data indicate that locally derived, and not just gonad-derived, estrogens affect cerebellar physiology and function. In addition, estrogens were found to facilitate parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synaptic transmission in both sexes. As such, the actions of estradiol to support cerebellar neurotransmission and cerebellum-based behaviors might be fundamental to understanding the normal processing of activity within the cerebellar cortex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valerie L. Hedges
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Lei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Amanda A. Krentzel
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Joseph R. Starrett
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Jing-Ning Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | | | - Luke Remage-Healey
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Jian-Jun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Timothy J. Ebner
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Paul G. Mermelstein
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
- Correspondence: Paul G. Mermelstein, PhD, Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, 6-145 Jackson Hall, 321 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Grey and white matter volumes either in treatment-naïve or hormone-treated transgender women: a voxel-based morphometry study. Sci Rep 2018; 8:736. [PMID: 29335438 PMCID: PMC5768734 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17563-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Many previous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have documented sex differences in brain morphology, but the patterns of sexual brain differences in transgender women - male sex assigned at birth - with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria (TW) have been rarely investigated to date. We acquired T1-weighted MRI data for the following four (n = 80) groups: treatment-naïve TW (TNTW), TW treated with cross-sex hormones for at least one year (TTW), cisgender men, and cisgender women (cisgender individuals as controls). Differences in whole-brain and regional white matter volume and grey matter volume (GMV) were assessed using voxel-based morphometry. We found lower global brain volumes and regional GMVs in a large portion of the posterior-superior frontal cortex in the cisgender women group than in the TTW and cisgender men groups. Additionally, both transgender groups exhibited lower bilateral insular GMVs than the cisgender women group. Our results highlight differences in the insula in both transgender groups; such differences may be characteristic of TW. Furthermore, these alterations in the insula could be related to the neural network of body perception and reflect the distress that accompanies gender dysphoria.
Collapse
|
29
|
Manto M, Hampe CS. Endocrine disorders and the cerebellum: from neurodevelopmental injury to late-onset ataxia. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2018; 155:353-368. [PMID: 29891071 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-64189-2.00023-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Hormonal disorders are a source of cerebellar ataxia in both children and adults. Normal development of the cerebellum is critically dependent on thyroid hormone, which crosses both the blood-brain barrier and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier thanks to specific transporters, including monocarboxylate transporter 8 and the organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1C1. In particular, growth and dendritic arborization of Purkinje neurons, synaptogenesis, and myelination are dependent on thyroid hormone. Disturbances of thyroid hormone may also impact on cerebellar ataxias of other origin, decompensating or aggravating the pre-existing ataxia manifesting with motor ataxia, oculomotor ataxia, and/or Schmahmann syndrome. Parathyroid disorders are associated with a genuine cerebellar syndrome, but symptoms may be subtle. The main conditions combining diabetes and cerebellar ataxia are Friedreich ataxia, ataxia associated with anti-GAD antibodies, autoimmune polyglandular syndromes, aceruloplasminemia, and cerebellar ataxia associated with hypogonadism (especially Holmes ataxia/Boucher-Neuhäuser syndrome). The general workup of cerebellar disorders should include the evaluation of hormonal status, including thyroid-stimulating hormone and free thyroxine levels, and hormonal replacement should be considered depending on the laboratory results. Cerebellar deficits may be reversible in some cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario Manto
- Neurology Service, CHU-Charleroi, Charleroi, Belgium; Neuroscience Service, Université de Mons, Mons, Belgium.
| | - Christiane S Hampe
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Albert K, Hiscox J, Boyd B, Dumas J, Taylor W, Newhouse P. Estrogen enhances hippocampal gray-matter volume in young and older postmenopausal women: a prospective dose-response study. Neurobiol Aging 2017; 56:1-6. [PMID: 28478324 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2017.03.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Revised: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen administration following menopause has been shown to support hippocampally mediated cognitive processes. A number of previous studies have examined the effect of estrogen on hippocampal structure to determine the mechanism underlying estrogen effects on hippocampal function. However, these studies have been largely observational and provided inconsistent results. We examined the effect of short-term estradiol administration on hippocampal gray-matter volume in a prospective study with multiple doses of estradiol (placebo, 1 mg, and 2 mg). Following 3 months of estradiol administration, bilateral posterior hippocampal voxel-based gray-matter volume was increased in women who received 2-mg estradiol. There were no significant differences in total hippocampal volume and no significant effects on gray-matter volume in women who received placebo or 1-mg estradiol. These findings accord with previous animal studies and provide evidence of estrogen effects on hippocampal morphology that may represent a neurobiological mechanism for estrogen effects on cognition in postmenopausal women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly Albert
- The Center for Cognitive Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jessica Hiscox
- The Center for Cognitive Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Brian Boyd
- The Center for Cognitive Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Julie Dumas
- Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Warren Taylor
- The Center for Cognitive Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; The Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Paul Newhouse
- The Center for Cognitive Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; The Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Georgakis MK, Kalogirou EI, Diamantaras AA, Daskalopoulou SS, Munro CA, Lyketsos CG, Skalkidou A, Petridou ET. Age at menopause and duration of reproductive period in association with dementia and cognitive function: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2016; 73:224-243. [PMID: 27543884 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2016] [Revised: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The preponderance of dementia among postmenopausal women compared with same-age men and the female sex hormones neuroprotective properties support a tentative role of their deficiency in the dementia pathogenesis. METHODS Pairs of independent reviewers screened 12,323 publications derived from a search strategy for MEDLINE to identify articles investigating the association of age at menopause/reproductive period with (i) dementia and (ii) cognitive function; a snowball of eligible articles and reviews was conducted and authors were contacted for additional information. Random-effect models were used for the meta-analysis. RESULTS Age at menopause (13 studies; 19,449 participants) and reproductive period (4 studies; 9916 participants) in the highest categories were not associated with odds of dementia (effect size [ES]: 0.97 [0.78-1.21]) and Alzheimer's disease (ES: 1.06 [0.71-1.58]). Significant heterogeneity was however noted in both analyses (I2: 63.3%, p=0.003 and I2: 72.6%, p=0.01, respectively). Subgroup analyses by outcome assessment, study design, level of adjustment and study quality did not materially change the findings. In 9/13 studies assessing cognitive function, advanced age at menopause/longer reproductive period was significantly associated with better cognitive performance/lower decline. Due to statistical differences, no meta-analysis was possible for cognitive function. CONCLUSIONS Existing evidence does not support an association between indices of prolonged exposure to female hormones and lower dementia risk. There are indications, however, for better cognitive performance and delayed cognitive decline, supporting a link between female hormone deficiency and cognitive aging. Current literature limitations, indicated by the heterogeneous study-set, point towards research priorities in this clinically relevant area.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marios K Georgakis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 11527, Greece.
| | - Eleni I Kalogirou
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 11527, Greece.
| | - Andreas-Antonios Diamantaras
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 11527, Greece; Program Medical Neurosciences, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, 10117, Germany.
| | - Stella S Daskalopoulou
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1A4, Canada.
| | - Cynthia A Munro
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
| | - Constantine G Lyketsos
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
| | - Alkistis Skalkidou
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, 751 85, Sweden.
| | - Eleni Th Petridou
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 11527, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
In-vivo Dynamics of the Human Hippocampus across the Menstrual Cycle. Sci Rep 2016; 6:32833. [PMID: 27713470 PMCID: PMC5054394 DOI: 10.1038/srep32833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex hormones fluctuate during the menstrual cycle. Evidence from animal studies suggests similar subtle fluctuations in hippocampal structure, predominantly linked to estrogen. Hippocampal abnormalities have been observed in several neuropsychiatric pathologies with prominent sexual dimorphism. Yet, the potential impact of subtle sex-hormonal fluctuations on human hippocampal structure in health is unclear. We tested the feasibility of longitudinal neuroimaging in conjunction with rigorous menstrual cycle monitoring to evaluate potential changes in hippocampal microstructure associated with physiological sex-hormonal changes. Thirty longitudinal diffusion weighted imaging scans of a single healthy female subject were acquired across two full menstrual cycles. We calculated hippocampal fractional anisotropy (FA), a measure sensitive to changes in microstructural integrity, and investigated potential correlations with estrogen. We observed a significant positive correlation between FA values and estrogen in the hippocampus bilaterally, revealing a peak in FA closely paralleling ovulation. This exploratory, single-subject study demonstrates the feasibility of a longitudinal DWI scanning protocol across the menstrual cycle and is the first to link subtle endogenous hormonal fluctuations to changes in FA in vivo. In light of recent attempts to neurally phenotype single humans, our findings highlight menstrual cycle monitoring in parallel with highly sampled individual neuroimaging data to address fundamental questions about the dynamics of plasticity in the adult brain.
Collapse
|
33
|
Kantarci K, Tosakulwong N, Lesnick TG, Zuk SM, Gunter JL, Gleason CE, Wharton W, Dowling NM, Vemuri P, Senjem ML, Shuster LT, Bailey KR, Rocca WA, Jack CR, Asthana S, Miller VM. Effects of hormone therapy on brain structure: A randomized controlled trial. Neurology 2016; 87:887-96. [PMID: 27473135 PMCID: PMC5035155 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000002970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the effects of hormone therapy on brain structure in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial in recently postmenopausal women. Methods: Participants (aged 42–56 years, within 5–36 months past menopause) in the Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study were randomized to (1) 0.45 mg/d oral conjugated equine estrogens (CEE), (2) 50 μg/d transdermal 17β-estradiol, or (3) placebo pills and patch for 48 months. Oral progesterone (200 mg/d) was given to active treatment groups for 12 days each month. MRI and cognitive testing were performed in a subset of participants at baseline, and at 18, 36, and 48 months of randomization (n = 95). Changes in whole brain, ventricular, and white matter hyperintensity volumes, and in global cognitive function, were measured. Results: Higher rates of ventricular expansion were observed in both the CEE and the 17β-estradiol groups compared to placebo; however, the difference was significant only in the CEE group (p = 0.01). Rates of ventricular expansion correlated with rates of decrease in brain volume (r = −0.58; p ≤ 0.001) and with rates of increase in white matter hyperintensity volume (r = 0.27; p = 0.01) after adjusting for age. The changes were not different between the CEE and 17β-estradiol groups for any of the MRI measures. The change in global cognitive function was not different across the groups. Conclusions: Ventricular volumes increased to a greater extent in recently menopausal women who received CEE compared to placebo but without changes in cognitive performance. Because the sample size was small and the follow-up limited to 4 years, the findings should be interpreted with caution and need confirmation. Classification of evidence: This study provides Class I evidence that brain ventricular volume increased to a greater extent in recently menopausal women who received oral CEE compared to placebo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kejal Kantarci
- From the Departments of Radiology (K.K., S.M.Z., J.L.G., P.V., M.L.S., C.R.J.), Health Sciences Research (N.T., T.G.L., K.R.B., W.A.R.), Internal Medicine (L.T.S.), Neurology (W.A.R.), and Surgery and Physiology and Biomedical Engineering (V.M.M.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Department of Medicine (C.E.G., S.A.), School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin and Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, William S. Middleton Memorial, Veterans' Hospital, Madison, WI; Department of Neurology (W.W.), Emory University, Atlanta, GA; and Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics (N.M.D.), University of Wisconsin, Madison.
| | - Nirubol Tosakulwong
- From the Departments of Radiology (K.K., S.M.Z., J.L.G., P.V., M.L.S., C.R.J.), Health Sciences Research (N.T., T.G.L., K.R.B., W.A.R.), Internal Medicine (L.T.S.), Neurology (W.A.R.), and Surgery and Physiology and Biomedical Engineering (V.M.M.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Department of Medicine (C.E.G., S.A.), School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin and Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, William S. Middleton Memorial, Veterans' Hospital, Madison, WI; Department of Neurology (W.W.), Emory University, Atlanta, GA; and Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics (N.M.D.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Timothy G Lesnick
- From the Departments of Radiology (K.K., S.M.Z., J.L.G., P.V., M.L.S., C.R.J.), Health Sciences Research (N.T., T.G.L., K.R.B., W.A.R.), Internal Medicine (L.T.S.), Neurology (W.A.R.), and Surgery and Physiology and Biomedical Engineering (V.M.M.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Department of Medicine (C.E.G., S.A.), School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin and Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, William S. Middleton Memorial, Veterans' Hospital, Madison, WI; Department of Neurology (W.W.), Emory University, Atlanta, GA; and Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics (N.M.D.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Samantha M Zuk
- From the Departments of Radiology (K.K., S.M.Z., J.L.G., P.V., M.L.S., C.R.J.), Health Sciences Research (N.T., T.G.L., K.R.B., W.A.R.), Internal Medicine (L.T.S.), Neurology (W.A.R.), and Surgery and Physiology and Biomedical Engineering (V.M.M.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Department of Medicine (C.E.G., S.A.), School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin and Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, William S. Middleton Memorial, Veterans' Hospital, Madison, WI; Department of Neurology (W.W.), Emory University, Atlanta, GA; and Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics (N.M.D.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Jeffrey L Gunter
- From the Departments of Radiology (K.K., S.M.Z., J.L.G., P.V., M.L.S., C.R.J.), Health Sciences Research (N.T., T.G.L., K.R.B., W.A.R.), Internal Medicine (L.T.S.), Neurology (W.A.R.), and Surgery and Physiology and Biomedical Engineering (V.M.M.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Department of Medicine (C.E.G., S.A.), School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin and Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, William S. Middleton Memorial, Veterans' Hospital, Madison, WI; Department of Neurology (W.W.), Emory University, Atlanta, GA; and Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics (N.M.D.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Carey E Gleason
- From the Departments of Radiology (K.K., S.M.Z., J.L.G., P.V., M.L.S., C.R.J.), Health Sciences Research (N.T., T.G.L., K.R.B., W.A.R.), Internal Medicine (L.T.S.), Neurology (W.A.R.), and Surgery and Physiology and Biomedical Engineering (V.M.M.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Department of Medicine (C.E.G., S.A.), School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin and Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, William S. Middleton Memorial, Veterans' Hospital, Madison, WI; Department of Neurology (W.W.), Emory University, Atlanta, GA; and Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics (N.M.D.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Whitney Wharton
- From the Departments of Radiology (K.K., S.M.Z., J.L.G., P.V., M.L.S., C.R.J.), Health Sciences Research (N.T., T.G.L., K.R.B., W.A.R.), Internal Medicine (L.T.S.), Neurology (W.A.R.), and Surgery and Physiology and Biomedical Engineering (V.M.M.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Department of Medicine (C.E.G., S.A.), School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin and Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, William S. Middleton Memorial, Veterans' Hospital, Madison, WI; Department of Neurology (W.W.), Emory University, Atlanta, GA; and Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics (N.M.D.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - N Maritza Dowling
- From the Departments of Radiology (K.K., S.M.Z., J.L.G., P.V., M.L.S., C.R.J.), Health Sciences Research (N.T., T.G.L., K.R.B., W.A.R.), Internal Medicine (L.T.S.), Neurology (W.A.R.), and Surgery and Physiology and Biomedical Engineering (V.M.M.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Department of Medicine (C.E.G., S.A.), School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin and Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, William S. Middleton Memorial, Veterans' Hospital, Madison, WI; Department of Neurology (W.W.), Emory University, Atlanta, GA; and Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics (N.M.D.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Prashanthi Vemuri
- From the Departments of Radiology (K.K., S.M.Z., J.L.G., P.V., M.L.S., C.R.J.), Health Sciences Research (N.T., T.G.L., K.R.B., W.A.R.), Internal Medicine (L.T.S.), Neurology (W.A.R.), and Surgery and Physiology and Biomedical Engineering (V.M.M.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Department of Medicine (C.E.G., S.A.), School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin and Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, William S. Middleton Memorial, Veterans' Hospital, Madison, WI; Department of Neurology (W.W.), Emory University, Atlanta, GA; and Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics (N.M.D.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Matthew L Senjem
- From the Departments of Radiology (K.K., S.M.Z., J.L.G., P.V., M.L.S., C.R.J.), Health Sciences Research (N.T., T.G.L., K.R.B., W.A.R.), Internal Medicine (L.T.S.), Neurology (W.A.R.), and Surgery and Physiology and Biomedical Engineering (V.M.M.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Department of Medicine (C.E.G., S.A.), School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin and Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, William S. Middleton Memorial, Veterans' Hospital, Madison, WI; Department of Neurology (W.W.), Emory University, Atlanta, GA; and Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics (N.M.D.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Lynne T Shuster
- From the Departments of Radiology (K.K., S.M.Z., J.L.G., P.V., M.L.S., C.R.J.), Health Sciences Research (N.T., T.G.L., K.R.B., W.A.R.), Internal Medicine (L.T.S.), Neurology (W.A.R.), and Surgery and Physiology and Biomedical Engineering (V.M.M.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Department of Medicine (C.E.G., S.A.), School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin and Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, William S. Middleton Memorial, Veterans' Hospital, Madison, WI; Department of Neurology (W.W.), Emory University, Atlanta, GA; and Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics (N.M.D.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Kent R Bailey
- From the Departments of Radiology (K.K., S.M.Z., J.L.G., P.V., M.L.S., C.R.J.), Health Sciences Research (N.T., T.G.L., K.R.B., W.A.R.), Internal Medicine (L.T.S.), Neurology (W.A.R.), and Surgery and Physiology and Biomedical Engineering (V.M.M.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Department of Medicine (C.E.G., S.A.), School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin and Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, William S. Middleton Memorial, Veterans' Hospital, Madison, WI; Department of Neurology (W.W.), Emory University, Atlanta, GA; and Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics (N.M.D.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Walter A Rocca
- From the Departments of Radiology (K.K., S.M.Z., J.L.G., P.V., M.L.S., C.R.J.), Health Sciences Research (N.T., T.G.L., K.R.B., W.A.R.), Internal Medicine (L.T.S.), Neurology (W.A.R.), and Surgery and Physiology and Biomedical Engineering (V.M.M.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Department of Medicine (C.E.G., S.A.), School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin and Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, William S. Middleton Memorial, Veterans' Hospital, Madison, WI; Department of Neurology (W.W.), Emory University, Atlanta, GA; and Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics (N.M.D.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Clifford R Jack
- From the Departments of Radiology (K.K., S.M.Z., J.L.G., P.V., M.L.S., C.R.J.), Health Sciences Research (N.T., T.G.L., K.R.B., W.A.R.), Internal Medicine (L.T.S.), Neurology (W.A.R.), and Surgery and Physiology and Biomedical Engineering (V.M.M.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Department of Medicine (C.E.G., S.A.), School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin and Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, William S. Middleton Memorial, Veterans' Hospital, Madison, WI; Department of Neurology (W.W.), Emory University, Atlanta, GA; and Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics (N.M.D.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Sanjay Asthana
- From the Departments of Radiology (K.K., S.M.Z., J.L.G., P.V., M.L.S., C.R.J.), Health Sciences Research (N.T., T.G.L., K.R.B., W.A.R.), Internal Medicine (L.T.S.), Neurology (W.A.R.), and Surgery and Physiology and Biomedical Engineering (V.M.M.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Department of Medicine (C.E.G., S.A.), School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin and Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, William S. Middleton Memorial, Veterans' Hospital, Madison, WI; Department of Neurology (W.W.), Emory University, Atlanta, GA; and Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics (N.M.D.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| | - Virginia M Miller
- From the Departments of Radiology (K.K., S.M.Z., J.L.G., P.V., M.L.S., C.R.J.), Health Sciences Research (N.T., T.G.L., K.R.B., W.A.R.), Internal Medicine (L.T.S.), Neurology (W.A.R.), and Surgery and Physiology and Biomedical Engineering (V.M.M.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Department of Medicine (C.E.G., S.A.), School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin and Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, William S. Middleton Memorial, Veterans' Hospital, Madison, WI; Department of Neurology (W.W.), Emory University, Atlanta, GA; and Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics (N.M.D.), University of Wisconsin, Madison
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Braden BB, Dassel KB, Bimonte-Nelson HA, O'Rourke HP, Connor DJ, Moorhous S, Sabbagh MN, Caselli RJ, Baxter LC. Sex and post-menopause hormone therapy effects on hippocampal volume and verbal memory. AGING NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITION 2016; 24:227-246. [PMID: 27263667 DOI: 10.1080/13825585.2016.1182962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Many studies suggest sex differences in memory and hippocampal size, and that hormone therapy (HT) may positively affect these measures in women; however, the parameters of HT use that most likely confer benefits are debated. We evaluated the impact of sex and postmenopausal HT use on verbal learning and memory and hippocampal size in 94 cognitively intact women and 49 men. Using analysis of covariance that controlled for age and education, women had better total word learning and delayed verbal memory performance than men. HT analyses showed that non-HT users performed similarly to men, while HT users performed better than men in Delayed Memory regardless of whether use was current or in the past. Women had larger hippocampal volumes than men regardless of whether they were HT users. Using univariate linear models, we assessed group differences in the predictive value of hippocampal volumes for verbal learning and memory. Hippocampal size significantly predicted memory performance for men and non-HT users, but not for HT users. This lack of relationship between hippocampal size and verbal learning and memory performance in HT users suggests HT use may impact memory through extra-hippocampal neural systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B Blair Braden
- a Department of Neuropsychology , Barrow Neurological Institute , Phoenix , AZ , USA
| | - Kara B Dassel
- a Department of Neuropsychology , Barrow Neurological Institute , Phoenix , AZ , USA
| | | | - Holly P O'Rourke
- b Department of Psychology , Arizona State University , Tempe , AZ , USA
| | - Donald J Connor
- c The Cleo Roberts Center for Clinical Research, Banner Sun Health Research Institute , Sun City , AZ , USA
| | - Sallie Moorhous
- a Department of Neuropsychology , Barrow Neurological Institute , Phoenix , AZ , USA
| | - Marwan N Sabbagh
- c The Cleo Roberts Center for Clinical Research, Banner Sun Health Research Institute , Sun City , AZ , USA
| | - Richard J Caselli
- d Department of Neurology , Mayo Clinic Arizona , Scottsdale , AZ , USA
| | - Leslie C Baxter
- a Department of Neuropsychology , Barrow Neurological Institute , Phoenix , AZ , USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Neuroplasticity and MRI: A perfect match. Neuroimage 2016; 131:13-28. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Revised: 08/03/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
|
36
|
Maleki N, Barmettler G, Moulton EA, Scrivani S, Veggeberg R, Spierings ELH, Burstein R, Becerra L, Borsook D. Female migraineurs show lack of insular thinning with age. Pain 2016; 156:1232-1239. [PMID: 25775358 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Gray matter loss in cortical regions is a normal ageing process for the healthy brain. There have been few studies on the process of ageing of the brain in chronic neurological disorders. In this study, we evaluated changes in the cortical thickness by age in 92 female subjects (46 patients with migraine and 46 healthy controls) using high-field magnetic resonance imaging. The results indicate that in contrast to healthy subjects, migraineurs show a lack of thinning in the insula by age. The functional significance of the lack of thinning is unknown, but it may contribute to the overall cortical hyperexcitability of the migraine brain because the region is tightly involved in a number of major brain networks involved in interoception, salience, nociception, and autonomic function, including the default mode network.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nasim Maleki
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA Center for Pain and the Brain and PAIN Group, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA Department of Psychiatry, PAIN Group, Brain Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA Anesthesia and Critical Care, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Zhang T, Casanova R, Resnick SM, Manson JE, Baker LD, Padual CB, Kuller LH, Bryan RN, Espeland MA, Davatzikos C. Effects of Hormone Therapy on Brain Volumes Changes of Postmenopausal Women Revealed by Optimally-Discriminative Voxel-Based Morphometry. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0150834. [PMID: 26974440 PMCID: PMC4790922 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 02/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Backgrounds The Women's Health Initiative Memory Study Magnetic Resonance Imaging (WHIMS-MRI) provides an opportunity to evaluate how menopausal hormone therapy (HT) affects the structure of older women’s brains. Our earlier work based on region of interest (ROI) analysis demonstrated potential structural changes underlying adverse effects of HT on cognition. However, the ROI-based analysis is limited in statistical power and precision, and cannot provide fine-grained mapping of whole-brain changes. Methods We aimed to identify local structural differences between HT and placebo groups from WHIMS-MRI in a whole-brain refined level, by using a novel method, named Optimally-Discriminative Voxel-Based Analysis (ODVBA). ODVBA is a recently proposed imaging pattern analysis approach for group comparisons utilizing a spatially adaptive analysis scheme to accurately locate areas of group differences, thereby providing superior sensitivity and specificity to detect the structural brain changes over conventional methods. Results Women assigned to HT treatments had significant Gray Matter (GM) losses compared to the placebo groups in the anterior cingulate and the adjacent medial frontal gyrus, and the orbitofrontal cortex, which persisted after multiple comparison corrections. There were no regions where HT was significantly associated with larger volumes compared to placebo, although a trend of marginal significance was found in the posterior cingulate cortical area. The CEE-Alone and CEE+MPA groups, although compared with different placebo controls, demonstrated similar effects according to the spatial patterns of structural changes. Conclusions HT had adverse effects on GM volumes and risk for cognitive impairment and dementia in older women. These findings advanced our understanding of the neurobiological underpinnings of HT effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianhao Zhang
- Center for Biomedical Image Computing and Analytics, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Ramon Casanova
- Department of Biostatistical Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Susan M. Resnick
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - JoAnn E. Manson
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Laura D. Baker
- Department of Internal Medicine and Epidemiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Claudia B. Padual
- Sierra Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Lewis H. Kuller
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - R. Nick Bryan
- Center for Biomedical Image Computing and Analytics, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Mark A. Espeland
- Department of Biostatistical Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Christos Davatzikos
- Center for Biomedical Image Computing and Analytics, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Polimanti R, Simonelli I, Zappasodi F, Ventriglia M, Pellicciari MC, Benussi L, Squitti R, Rossini PM, Tecchio F. Biological factors and age-dependence of primary motor cortex experimental plasticity. Neurol Sci 2015; 37:211-8. [PMID: 26445942 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-015-2388-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2015] [Accepted: 09/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
To evaluate whether the age-dependence of brain plasticity correlates with the levels of proteins involved in hormone and brain functions we executed a paired associative stimulation (PAS) protocol and blood tests. We measured the PAS-induced plasticity in the primary motor cortex. Blood levels of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), estradiol, the insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, the insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-3, progesterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), testosterone, and the transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) were determined in 15 healthy men and 20 healthy women. We observed an age-related reduction of PAS-induced plasticity in females that it is not present in males. In females, PAS-induced plasticity displayed a correlation with testosterone (p = 0.006) that became a trend after the adjustment for the age effect (p = 0.078). In males, IGF-1 showed a nominally significant correlation with the PAS-induced plasticity (p = 0.043). In conclusion, we observed that hormone blood levels (testosterone in females and IGF-1 in males) may be involved in the age-dependence of brain plasticity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Renato Polimanti
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ilaria Simonelli
- Department of Imaging and Neurodegeneration Laboratory, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy
- Medical Statistics and Information Technology and Department of Neuroscience, Fatebenefratelli Foundation, AFaR Division, Fatebenefratelli Hospital-Isola Tiberina, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Zappasodi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy
- Institute of Advanced Biomedical Technologies, University "G. d'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy
| | - Mariacarla Ventriglia
- Medical Statistics and Information Technology and Department of Neuroscience, Fatebenefratelli Foundation, AFaR Division, Fatebenefratelli Hospital-Isola Tiberina, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Concetta Pellicciari
- Cognitive Neuroscience Section and Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Luisa Benussi
- Cognitive Neuroscience Section and Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Rosanna Squitti
- Department of Imaging and Neurodegeneration Laboratory, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy
- Medical Statistics and Information Technology and Department of Neuroscience, Fatebenefratelli Foundation, AFaR Division, Fatebenefratelli Hospital-Isola Tiberina, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Maria Rossini
- Department of Imaging and Neurodegeneration Laboratory, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Franca Tecchio
- Department of Imaging and Neurodegeneration Laboratory, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy.
- Laboratory of Electrophysiology for Translational neuroScience (LET'S), Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (ISTC), National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Arélin K, Mueller K, Barth C, Rekkas PV, Kratzsch J, Burmann I, Villringer A, Sacher J. Progesterone mediates brain functional connectivity changes during the menstrual cycle-a pilot resting state MRI study. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:44. [PMID: 25755630 PMCID: PMC4337344 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 02/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The growing interest in intrinsic brain organization has sparked various innovative approaches to generating comprehensive connectivity-based maps of the human brain. Prior reports point to a sexual dimorphism of the structural and functional human connectome. However, it is uncertain whether subtle changes in sex hormones, as occur during the monthly menstrual cycle, substantially impact the functional architecture of the female brain. Here, we performed eigenvector centrality (EC) mapping in 32 longitudinal resting state fMRI scans of a single healthy subject without oral contraceptive use, across four menstrual cycles, and assessed estrogen and progesterone levels. To investigate associations between cycle-dependent hormones and brain connectivity, we performed correlation analyses between the EC maps and the respective hormone levels. On the whole brain level, we found a significant positive correlation between progesterone and EC in the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and bilateral sensorimotor cortex. In a secondary region-of-interest analysis, we detected a progesterone-modulated increase in functional connectivity of both bilateral DLPFC and bilateral sensorimotor cortex with the hippocampus. Our results suggest that the menstrual cycle substantially impacts intrinsic functional connectivity, particularly in brain areas associated with contextual memory-regulation, such as the hippocampus. These findings are the first to link the subtle hormonal fluctuations that occur during the menstrual cycle, to significant changes in regional functional connectivity in the hippocampus in a longitudinal design, given the limitation of data acquisition in a single subject. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of such a longitudinal Resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (rs-fMRI) design and illustrates a means of creating a personalized map of the human brain by integrating potential mediators of brain states, such as menstrual cycle phase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Arélin
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences Leipzig, Germany ; Clinic of Cognitive Neurology, University of Leipzig Leipzig, Germany ; Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig Leipzig, Germany
| | - Karsten Mueller
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences Leipzig, Germany
| | - Claudia Barth
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences Leipzig, Germany
| | - Paraskevi V Rekkas
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Research Imaging Centre and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and the Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jürgen Kratzsch
- Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Institute for Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Leipzig Leipzig, Germany
| | - Inga Burmann
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences Leipzig, Germany
| | - Arno Villringer
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences Leipzig, Germany ; Clinic of Cognitive Neurology, University of Leipzig Leipzig, Germany ; Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig Leipzig, Germany ; Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, University of Leipzig Leipzig, Germany ; Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Mind and Brain Institute, Humboldt University Berlin Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia Sacher
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences Leipzig, Germany ; Clinic of Cognitive Neurology, University of Leipzig Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Castonguay N, Lussier M, Bugaiska A, Lord C, Bherer L. Executive functions in men and postmenopausal women. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2015; 37:193-208. [PMID: 25695230 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2014.1000267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study was designed to assess sex differences in older adults (55-65 years old) in executive functions and to examine the influence of hormone therapy (HT) in postmenopausal women. METHOD We have assessed task performance in memory, visuospatial, and executive functions in 29 women using HT, 29 women who never used HT, and 30 men. RESULTS Men outperformed never users in task switching and updating. HT users outperformed never users in updating. HT users outperformed never users and men in visual divided attention. DISCUSSION The present study support previous findings that sex and HT impact cognition and bring new insights on sex and HT-related differences in executive functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Castonguay
- a Department of Psychology , Université du Québec à Montréal , Montreal , QC , Canada
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Comasco E, Frokjaer VG, Sundström-Poromaa I. Functional and molecular neuroimaging of menopause and hormone replacement therapy. Front Neurosci 2014; 8:388. [PMID: 25538545 PMCID: PMC4259109 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2014.00388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2014] [Accepted: 11/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The level of gonadal hormones to which the female brain is exposed considerably changes across the menopausal transition, which in turn, is likely to be of great relevance for neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders. However, the neurobiological consequences of these hormone fluctuations and of hormone replacement therapy in the menopause have only begun to be understood. The present review summarizes the findings of thirty-five studies of human brain function, including functional magnetic resonance imaging, positron and single-photon computed emission tomography studies, in peri- and postmenopausal women treated with estrogen, or estrogen-progestagen replacement therapy. Seven studies using gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist intervention as a model of hormonal withdrawal are also included. Cognitive paradigms are employed by the majority of studies evaluating the effect of unopposed estrogen or estrogen-progestagen treatment on peri- and postmenopausal women's brain. In randomized-controlled trials, estrogen treatment enhances activation of fronto-cingulate regions during cognitive functioning, though in many cases no difference in cognitive performance was present. Progestagens seems to counteract the effects of estrogens. Findings on cognitive functioning during acute ovarian hormone withdrawal suggest a decrease in activation of the left inferior frontal gyrus, thus essentially corroborating the findings in postmenopausal women. Studies of the cholinergic and serotonergic systems indicate these systems as biological mediators of hormonal influences on the brain. More, hormonal replacement appears to increase cerebral blood flow in several cortical regions. On the other hand, studies on emotion processing in postmenopausal women are lacking. These results call for well-powered randomized-controlled multi-modal prospective neuroimaging studies as well as investigation on the related molecular mechanisms of effects of menopausal hormonal variations on the brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erika Comasco
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University Uppsala, Sweden ; Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Vibe G Frokjaer
- Department of Neurology, Center for Integrated Molecular Brain Imaging and Neurobiology Research Unit 6931, Copenhagen University Hospital Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Rasgon NL, Geist CL, Kenna HA, Wroolie TE, Williams KE, Silverman DHS. Prospective randomized trial to assess effects of continuing hormone therapy on cerebral function in postmenopausal women at risk for dementia. PLoS One 2014; 9:e89095. [PMID: 24622517 PMCID: PMC3951184 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2013] [Accepted: 01/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine the effects of estrogen-based hormone therapy (HT) on regional cerebral metabolism in postmenopausal women (mean age = 58, SD = 5) at risk for development of dementia. The prospective clinical trial design included pre- and post-intervention neuroimaging of women randomized to continue (HT+) or discontinue (HT−) therapy following an average of 10 years of use. The primary outcome measure was change in brain metabolism during the subsequent two years, as assessed with fluorodeoxyglucose-18 positron emission tomography (FDG-PET). Longitudinal FDG-PET data were available for 45 study completers. Results showed that women randomized to continue HT experienced relative preservation of frontal and parietal cortical metabolism, compared with women randomized to discontinue HT. Women who discontinued 17-β estradiol (17βE)-based HT, as well as women who continued conjugated equine estrogen (CEE)-based HT, exhibited significant decline in metabolism of the precuneus/posterior cingulate cortical (PCC) area. Significant decline in PCC metabolism was additionally seen in women taking concurrent progestins (with either 17βE or CEE). Together, these findings suggest that among postmenopausal subjects at risk for developing dementia, regional cerebral cortical metabolism is relatively preserved for at least two years in women randomized to continue HT, compared with women randomized to discontinue HT. In addition, continuing unopposed 17βE therapy is associated specifically with preservation of metabolism in PCC, known to undergo the most significant decline in the earliest stages of Alzheimer's disease. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.govNCT00097058
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie L. Rasgon
- Stanford Center for Neuroscience in Women's Health, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Cheri L. Geist
- UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, Ahmanson Translational Imaging Division, University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Heather A. Kenna
- Stanford Center for Neuroscience in Women's Health, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Tonita E. Wroolie
- Stanford Center for Neuroscience in Women's Health, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Katherine E. Williams
- Stanford Center for Neuroscience in Women's Health, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Daniel H. S. Silverman
- UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, Ahmanson Translational Imaging Division, University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Ryan J, Artero S, Carrière I, Scali J, Maller JJ, Meslin C, Ritchie K, Scarabin PY, Ancelin ML. Brain volumes in late life: gender, hormone treatment, and estrogen receptor variants. Neurobiol Aging 2014; 35:645-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2013.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Revised: 09/14/2013] [Accepted: 09/19/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
|
44
|
Alexander JL, Sommer BR, Dennerstein L, Grigorova M, Neylan T, Kotz K, Richardson G, Rosenbaum R. Role of psychiatric comorbidity on cognitive function during and after the menopausal transition. Expert Rev Neurother 2014; 7:S157-80. [DOI: 10.1586/14737175.7.11s.s157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
|
45
|
Rapkin AJ, Berman SM, London ED. The Cerebellum and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. AIMS Neurosci 2014; 1:120-141. [PMID: 28275721 PMCID: PMC5338637 DOI: 10.3934/neuroscience.2014.2.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The cerebellum constitutes ten percent of brain volume and contains the majority of brain neurons. Although it was historically viewed primarily as processing motoric computations, current evidence supports a more comprehensive role, where cerebro-cerebellar feedback loops also modulate various forms of cognitive and affective processing. Here we present evidence for a role of the cerebellum in premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which is characterized by severe negative mood symptoms during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Although a link between menstruation and cyclical dysphoria has long been recognized, neuroscientific investigations of this common disorder have only recently been explored. This article reviews functional and structural brain imaging studies of PMDD and the similar but less well defined condition of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The most consistent findings are that women with premenstrual dysphoria exhibit greater relative activity than other women in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and posterior lobules VI and VII of the neocerebellum. Since both brain areas have been implicated in emotional processing and mood disorders, working memory and executive functions, this greater activity probably represents coactivation within a cerebro-cerebellar feedback loop regulating emotional and cognitive processing. Some of the evidence suggests that increased activity within this circuit may preserve cerebellar structure during aging, and possible mechanisms and implications of this finding are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea J Rapkin
- USA David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Box 951740, 27-139 CHS, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Steven M Berman
- Center for Addictive Behaviors, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA, 90095 USA
| | - Edythe D London
- Center for Addictive Behaviors, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA, 90095 USA; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, and Brain Research Institute, UCLA, 90095 USA
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
van der Leeuw C, Habets P, Gronenschild E, Domen P, Michielse S, van Kroonenburgh M, van Os J, Marcelis M. Testing the estrogen hypothesis of schizophrenia: associations between cumulative estrogen exposure and cerebral structural measures. Schizophr Res 2013; 150:114-20. [PMID: 23938177 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2013.07.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2012] [Revised: 06/27/2013] [Accepted: 07/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bone mineral density (BMD), as an indicator of cumulative estrogen exposure, may be reduced in female patients with psychotic disorder (van der Leeuw et al., 2013), possibly reflecting reduced cerebral exposure to estrogen and alterations in neuroprotective effects. To the degree that BMD is a marker of cumulative (endogenous) estrogen exposure, we hypothesized that BMD would be positively associated with cerebral gray and white matter indices. METHODS Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and magnetic resonance (MRI) scans were acquired in fourteen female patients diagnosed with a psychotic disorder. BMD was expressed in total BMD (g/cm(2)), Z- and T-scores. Cerebral cortical thickness (CT) (as indicator of gray matter status) and fractional anisotropy (FA) (as indicator of white matter integrity) were measured and served as the dependent variables in multilevel random regression models. BMD measures were the independent variables. RESULTS Femoral BMD measures were positively associated with CT at trend significance (total BMD: B=0.266, 95% CI: -0.019-0.552, p=0.067; Z-score: B=0.034, 95% CI: 0.001-0.067, p=0.046; T-score: B=0.034, 95% CI: 0.000-0.068, p=0.052). There were no significant associations between femoral BMD measures and FA. CONCLUSIONS The data suggest that in women with psychotic disorder, alterations in the neuroprotective effect of estrogen (as measured by BMD) impact cortical gray matter, but not white matter integrity. These findings merit further investigation and, if replicated, would lend support to the estrogen hypothesis of schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C van der Leeuw
- Department of Psychiatry & Psychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, EURON, Maastricht University Medical Centre, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Miller VM, Garovic VD, Kantarci K, Barnes JN, Jayachandran M, Mielke MM, Joyner MJ, Shuster LT, Rocca WA. Sex-specific risk of cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline: pregnancy and menopause. Biol Sex Differ 2013; 4:6. [PMID: 23537114 PMCID: PMC3623746 DOI: 10.1186/2042-6410-4-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2012] [Accepted: 03/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the biology of sex differences is integral to personalized medicine. Cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline are two related conditions, with distinct sex differences in morbidity and clinical manifestations, response to treatments, and mortality. Although mortality from all-cause cardiovascular diseases has declined in women over the past five years, due in part to increased educational campaigns regarding the recognition of symptoms and application of treatment guidelines, the mortality in women still exceeds that of men. The physiological basis for these differences requires further research, with particular attention to two physiological conditions which are unique to women and associated with hormonal changes: pregnancy and menopause. Both conditions have the potential to impact life-long cardiovascular risk, including cerebrovascular function and cognition in women. This review draws on epidemiological, translational, clinical, and basic science studies to assess the impact of hypertensive pregnancy disorders on cardiovascular disease and cognitive function later in life, and examines the effects of post-menopausal hormone treatments on cardiovascular risk and cognition in midlife women. We suggest that hypertensive pregnancy disorders and menopause activate vascular components, i.e., vascular endothelium and blood elements, including platelets and leukocytes, to release cell-membrane derived microvesicles that are potential mediators of changes in cerebral blood flow, and may ultimately affect cognition in women as they age. Research into specific sex differences for these disease processes with attention to an individual's sex chromosomal complement and hormonal status is important and timely.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Virginia M Miller
- Departments of Surgery and Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Vesna D Garovic
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Kejal Kantarci
- Department of Radiology, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Jill N Barnes
- Department of Anesthesiology, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Muthuvel Jayachandran
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Michelle M Mielke
- Department of Health Science Research, Division of Epidemiology, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Michael J Joyner
- Department of Anesthesiology, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Lynne T Shuster
- Department of Internal Medicine, Women’s Health Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Walter A Rocca
- Department of Health Science Research, Division of Epidemiology, and Neurology, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Fukuta H, Ito I, Tateno A, Nogami T, Taiji Y, Arakawa R, Suhara T, Asai K, Okubo Y. Effects of menopause on brain structural changes in schizophrenia. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2013; 67:3-11. [PMID: 23331283 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.12003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2011] [Revised: 06/13/2012] [Accepted: 06/15/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
AIM The aim of this study was to investigate the influences of menopause on brain morphological changes in schizophrenia using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS Forty female schizophrenia patients, 20 premenopausal and 20 postmenopausal, and 50 female controls underwent cerebral MRI. Optimized voxel-based morphometry was performed with Statistical Parametric Mapping version 5. RESULTS Compared with controls, regional gray matter reductions in schizophrenia patients were observed in the insula, superior temporal gyrus, anterior cingulate, parahippocampal gyrus, and thalamus. Direct comparison between the patient groups showed that the gray matter of postmenopausal patients was significantly smaller when compared with premenopausal patients in the left middle frontal gyrus, and no region had significantly lower gray matter volume in premenopausal patients relative to postmenopausal patients. Significant negative correlation between gray matter volume and the interval after menopause was found in the right superior frontal gyrus in the postmenopause patient group. CONCLUSION Differential morphological alterations between postmenopausal and premenopausal schizophrenia patients were observed, suggesting that the female hormone plays a protective role against schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hajime Fukuta
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Hedges VL, Ebner TJ, Meisel RL, Mermelstein PG. The cerebellum as a target for estrogen action. Front Neuroendocrinol 2012; 33:403-11. [PMID: 22975197 PMCID: PMC3496070 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2012.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2012] [Revised: 08/20/2012] [Accepted: 08/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
This review focuses on the effects of estrogens upon the cerebellum, a brain region long ignored as a site of estrogen action. Highlighted are the diverse effects of estradiol within the cerebellum, emphasizing the importance of estradiol signaling in cerebellar development, modulation of synaptic neurotransmission in the adult, and the potential influence of estrogens on various health and disease states. We also provide new data, consistent with previous studies, in which locally synthesized estradiol modulates cerebellar glutamatergic neurotransmission, providing one underlying mechanism by which the actions of estradiol can affect this brain region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valerie L Hedges
- Department of Neuroscience and Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Wnuk A, Korol DL, Erickson KI. Estrogens, hormone therapy, and hippocampal volume in postmenopausal women. Maturitas 2012; 73:186-90. [PMID: 22858056 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2012.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2012] [Accepted: 07/01/2012] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The brain atrophies in late life. However, there are many factors that either magnify or mitigate the rate of atrophy. Loss of estrogens during menopause and administration of hormone therapy have both been hypothesized as sources of individual variation in the prevalence of cortical and subcortical atrophy and loss of cognitive function in late adulthood. In this review we critically summarize and assess the extant rodent and human neuroimaging studies that examine the link between estrogens and hippocampal morphology and function and focus predominantly on human studies of the hippocampus in postmenopausal women. Several cross-sectional studies report that the size of the hippocampus is larger in women receiving hormone therapy while several other cross-sectional studies report either negligible effects or smaller volumes in women receiving hormone therapy. We suggest that these differences might be caused by the variation between studies in the age of the samples studied, the duration of therapy, and the age at which hormone therapy is initiated. Unfortunately, all of the human studies reviewed here are cross-sectional in nature. With the lack of well-controlled randomized trials with neuroimaging measures on postmenopausal women both before and after some exposure interval, the effect of hormone therapy on hippocampal atrophy will remain equivocal and poorly understood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Wnuk
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15260, United States
| | | | | |
Collapse
|