How early menopause can increase your risk of Alzheimer’s has been found
A study shows that EARLY menopause increases the risk of Alzheimer’s.
The earlier women experience the change, the more likely they are to develop the memory-robbing condition, US researchers found.
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And the longer it elapses between the onset of menopause and the start of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the higher the chances.
Researchers said that women who took the vital drug five years after the onset of menopause had higher levels of tau in their brains – a protein linked to the condition.
dr JoAnn Manson of Brigham and Women’s Hospital said, “When it comes to hormone therapy, timing is everything.”
dr Rachel Buckley of Massachusetts General Hospital said: “HRT is the most reliable way to relieve severe menopausal symptoms.
“But in recent decades there has been a lack of clarity about how HRT affects the brain.
“That tau might underlie the link between late-stage hormone therapy and Alzheimer’s disease was a major discovery, something that had never been seen before.”
Around twice as many women develop Alzheimer’s as men, with around 944,000 people in the UK currently living with the deadly disease.
It’s thought to be caused by buildup of proteins in the brain, including tau and amyloid.
Menopause usually begins in the mid-40s, but about 1 in 20 women begin prematurely before the age of 45.
The Sun’s Fabulous Menopause Matters campaign is pushing for greater access to HRT, which helps reduce symptoms of change.
Previous studies have shown that HRT can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s in some women.
The latest study, published in JAMA Neurology, looked at how the onset of menopause and HRT affect the risk of the disease.
The researchers analyzed brain scans of 292 adults who didn’t have dementia to see how amyloid and tau had accumulated in their brains.
What Are the Early Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease?
In the early stages, memory lapses are the main symptom of Alzheimer’s disease.
For example, someone with early Alzheimer’s disease may:
- Forget about recent conversations or events
- move objects
- forget the names of places and objects
- having trouble finding the right word
- keep asking questions
- demonstrate poor judgment or find it more difficult to make decisions
- less flexible and hesitant to try new things
There are often signs of mood swings, such as: B. increasing anxiety or restlessness or periods of confusion.
Source: The NHS
Women had higher levels of tau compared to men of the same age, and those who went through menopause earlier had higher levels of both proteins.
Levels were higher in parts of the brain linked to memory known to be involved in Alzheimer’s.
Women who took HRT at least five years after menopause also had larger amounts.
dr Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Sara Imarisio said: “While we understand that news like this can seem worrying, this study does not show that hormone therapy causes Alzheimer’s.
“Hormone therapy offers important benefits to many women and helps manage the symptoms that menopause can bring.
“Women taking or considering hormone therapy should not be put off by these results, and all concerned should speak to their doctor.”
https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/health/10464215/menopause-increase-risk-alzheimers-disease-revealed/ How early menopause can increase your risk of Alzheimer’s has been found