Hot Flashes and Brain Aging in Women
Menopausal Vasomotor Symptoms and Brain Aging in Women
This project explores how hot flashes and sleep problems during menopause might affect women's brain health and their risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11132981 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Alzheimer's disease is more common in women, but the specific reasons for this are not fully understood. Menopause is a universal experience for women, bringing hormonal changes along with symptoms like hot flashes and sleep disturbances, which can impact brain health. This project looks at whether these menopausal symptoms, especially hot flashes experienced during sleep, are connected to changes in memory and brain structure. Our previous findings suggest a link between sleep hot flashes, poor sleep, and indicators of brain health, and this current phase aims to further understand these connections as risk factors for Alzheimer's disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women experiencing menopausal hot flashes and sleep problems, particularly those concerned about their long-term brain health and Alzheimer's risk, would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Men, or women who have not experienced menopause or related symptoms, would likely not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify women at higher risk for Alzheimer's disease earlier and lead to new strategies for protecting brain health during and after menopause.
How similar studies have performed: Initial pilot work and findings from a previous phase of this project have shown promising associations between menopausal symptoms and brain health indicators.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thurston, Rebecca C — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Thurston, Rebecca C
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 below.