Menopause triggers a series of hormonal changes that affect a woman's overall well-being, giving rise to various physical and emotional symptoms, representing more than just the end of the reproductive phase. A recent study published in the scientific journal JAMA Network Open found that the age at which a woman enters menopause is associated with her neurological health and long-term brain structure.
Previous research had already shown a relationship between menopause and cognitive decline, but scientists wanted to investigate what happens in the long term to the female brain after this hormonal transition.
The study sought to answer whether early menopause may set the stage for faster memory decline, an earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, or changes in brain structure as women age. The findings indicate that women who enter menopause early show evidence of faster brain aging and tend to receive an Alzheimer's diagnosis at younger ages.
