How Longer Reproductive Years in Women Lead to Healthier Brain Aging? Study Sheds Light
A new study suggests that the number of years a woman spends in her reproductive phase i.e. between her first period and menopause, may be linked to how well her brain ages later in life. Findings are published in Gigascience journal.
Researchers analysed brain scans from over 1,000 postmenopausal women and found that women who had their first period earlier, experienced menopause later, or had a longer reproductive span showed signs of slower brain aging.
“These findings support the idea that estradiol – the most potent and prevalent form of estrogen during a woman’s reproductive years – may help protect the brain as it ages,” says lead researcher Associate Professor Eileen Lueders, of the University of Auckland’s School of Psychology.
The research may point toward the potential for health interventions such as hormone treatment in the years leading up to menopause and immediately afterward to combat an increased risk of Alzheimer’s for some women.
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