Mind, Body & Heart: All you need to know about Periods span
menopause
dementia risk
brain health
oestradiol
Women with early onset of periods, and later-- which means a longer reproductive span -- can have a healthier brain ageing in life, according to a study.The study showed how a woman's reproductive years may shapelater in life and also reduce the risk of dementia. It also suggested the role of(or the lack thereof) in the development of dementia.Oestradiol levels rise at puberty, remain high during most of a woman's reproductive life, and then decline sharply around menopause. This drop in oestradiol has been linked to an increased risk of dementia and other age-related brain conditions.'These findings support the idea that oestradiol -- the most potent and prevalent form of oestrogen during a woman's reproductive years -- may help protect the brain as it ages,' said lead researcher Eileen Lueders, Associate Professor from 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.The team applied a machine learning approach to analyse both cross-sectional and longitudinal data from a sample of 1,006 postmenopausal women who underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging twice, approximately 2 years apart. Women with earlier menarche, later menopause, and a longer reproductive span (that is, the time interval between menarche and menopause) showed less brain ageing. Other factors -- like genetics, lifestyle, and overall health -- also influence brain ageing.
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Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Mind, Body & Heart: All you need to know about Periods span
menopause dementia risk brain health oestradiol Women with early onset of periods, and later-- which means a longer reproductive span -- can have a healthier brain ageing in life, according to a study showed how a woman's reproductive years may shapelater in life and also reduce the risk of dementia. It also suggested the role of(or the lack thereof) in the development of levels rise at puberty, remain high during most of a woman's reproductive life, and then decline sharply around menopause. This drop in oestradiol has been linked to an increased risk of dementia and other age-related brain conditions.'These findings support the idea that oestradiol -- the most potent and prevalent form of oestrogen during a woman's reproductive years -- may help protect the brain as it ages,' said lead researcher Eileen Lueders, Associate Professor from the University of Auckland's School of 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 team applied a machine learning approach to analyse both cross-sectional and longitudinal data from a sample of 1,006 postmenopausal women who underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging twice, approximately 2 years apart. Women with earlier menarche, later menopause, and a longer reproductive span (that is, the time interval between menarche and menopause) showed less brain ageing. Other factors -- like genetics, lifestyle, and overall health -- also influence brain ageing.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Finger movements may hold the secret to Alzheimer's diagnosis, new study reveals
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The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Not all cognitive decline is dementia and not all dementia is Alzheimer's stress clinicians this brain awareness month
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One of the most critical steps in dementia care in India is to rule out reversible causes before settling on a diagnosis like Alzheimer's. This clinical vigilance ensures that treatable conditions are not missed. For instance, vitamin B12 deficiency is a common cause of cognitive issues, especially among vegetarians, and can be easily corrected with supplements. Hypothyroidism is another frequently overlooked condition that can mimic dementia and is reversible with thyroid hormone replacement. Dr. Prabhakaran shares that cases of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus -- where dementia presents alongside gait instability and bladder dysfunction -- can sometimes be reversed almost miraculously by draining around 30 ml of cerebrospinal fluid. There are also rarer possibilities like autoimmune dementia, which constitutes about two to three percent of cases. In such instances, antibody testing for approximately 23 known markers is now available in India. 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A negative result can give both doctors and families confidence to pursue alternative explanations and care pathways. The role of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing also deserves attention. U. Meenakshisundaram, director & senior consultant, neurology, MGM Healthcare, Chennai, notes that Indian labs now offer CSF analysis for beta-amyloid and phosphorylated tau at a cost of around ₹20,000–₹25,000. Although it requires a lumbar puncture and is thus more invasive, many patients and families opt for it if it provides diagnostic clarity. He also mentions that newer, less invasive serum-based tests for Alzheimer's biomarkers have recently been approved in the United States, though these are not yet available in India. Post-diagnosis medical care and management In terms of treatment, there is growing global excitement about novel therapies. Dr. Meenakshisundaram emphasis that two monoclonal antibodies -- lecanemab and aducanumab -- have been approved in the United States in recent months. 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