Women face higher risks than men in the general population, but a new study has found certain things could reduce that risk
New research suggests that women who have hormone replacement therapy after menopause face lower odds of developing dementia. The study by the University of Galway also revealed that women experiencing earlier menopause may face heightened dementia risks.
They also found that having more children and elevated blood estrogen levels appeared to reduce this danger. The researchers stated: “In general, greater exposure to estrogen throughout a woman’s reproductive lifespan was associated with enhanced cognitive performance and larger brain volumes. “Our results may suggest positive cognitive benefits of greater lifetime estrogen exposure, but require further validation.” The research used information from an investigation in the United States, dubbed “the world’s longest-running longitudinal cohort study” by the Irish Times.
That investigation examined connections between reproductive elements and brain ageing to determine whether reproductive factors might explain why women face greater dementia risks than men.
Lead researcher Prof Emer McGrath, associate professor in medicine at UG, said: “We found that entering menopause at an earlier age appears to be associated with an increased risk of dementia, while post-menopause hormone replacement therapy appears to be associated with a lower risk of dementia. Although our results suggest positive cognitive benefits of greater lifetime estrogen exposure, they do require further validation.”
According to Alzheimer’s Society, women face a greater risk of developing dementia. Whilst the reasoning behind this remains unclear, experts believe it’s down to women typically living longer than men, with age being one of the most significant risk factors for the condition.
Estrogen is thought to offer protective benefits for the brain, including the potential ability to prevent some of the damaging effects of substances linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Throughout menopause, levels of this sex hormone plummet drastically.
Researchers have also previously suggested that due to estrogen’s protective qualities, a woman might be less susceptible to developing dementia if they experience higher exposure throughout their lifetime. This includes beginning periods at an earlier age, experiencing at least one pregnancy which boosts estrogen levels, and entering menopause later in life.
Alzheimer’s Society specialists highlight: “We also now know that most of the diseases causing dementia start developing in the brain around 10-20 years before clinical symptoms show, which for many women is around the time of their menopause.
“It’s tempting therefore to connect the loss of this brain-protecting hormone with the start of processes in the brain that ultimately lead to dementia.
“However, the relationships between sex, menopause and dementia risk are extremely complex and until recently researchers have not prioritised menopause as an opportunity to learn more about dementia. We need a lot more research before we can draw any firm conclusions.”