Hormones, sleep, and memory across midlife and menopause
Official title: The impact of sex hormones on neural mechanisms of sleep-dependent memory during the reproductive age and menopause transition
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-11297359 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at UC Irvine will explore how sex hormones and sleep affect memory in adults around midlife and during menopause.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $778,918 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG092608-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11297359 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 21 and older who are in or approaching the menopausal transition or in midlife, with concerns about memory or sleep.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without sleep disturbances or menopausal transition-related changes may experience limited direct benefits.
What this research studies
This project looks at how hormonal changes during the menopausal transition and daily sleep patterns influence brain networks involved in memory. Researchers will track hormone levels, sleep rhythms, and memory performance to identify early indicators of cognitive vulnerability before dementia symptoms appear. The team will use brain imaging and sleep measures to understand how menstrual cycles and menopause-related hormonal shifts impact memory-related brain activity. Findings could point to windows for early interventions to protect memory as people age. The work ties to Alzheimer’s disease research by focusing on factors that may increase dementia risk during midlife.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could help identify early markers of cognitive risk and guide strategies to maintain memory and reduce dementia risk through midlife.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research shows menstrual-cycle–related changes in sleep and memory, suggesting this approach is plausible but still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mednick, Sara Carole — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Mednick, Sara Carole
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.