The brain transforms during menopauseCraig Boylan
From brain fog to anxiety, the cognitive impacts of menopause are familiar to many. But now it seems the brain changes are much more profound than previously imagined, with potentially long-term effects perhaps even explaining why women are at a greater risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
The changes are so dramatic, says Roberta Brinton at the University of Arizona, who studies the female brain, that they are akin to a home renovation: “It becomes a different brain.”
These discoveries underscore the ways in which midlife can influence brain health in older age – and highlight the brain’s remarkable resilience.
“The menopausal transition can unmask neurological vulnerabilities,” says Brinton. “For these women, menopause is a critical period for both identifying neurological risks and intervening appropriately.”
