Menopause, brain health, and aging: how hormones shape risk for dementia
Official title: A Mid-to-Late Life Course Approach to Investigating the Impact of Menopause and Intervention on Brain Health
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11449501 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how menopause and hormone therapy affect brain aging and dementia risk in women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $3,557,115 |
| NIH project number | 1RF1AG098531-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11449501 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women aged 21 and older who are undergoing or approaching menopausal transition or with menopause-related concerns, and who are at risk for Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without menopause-related brain health concerns or those outside the study’s observational scope may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Starting in midlife, many women experience hormonal changes that may influence brain health. The study uses long-term brain imaging, blood tests, and clinical checks to understand how menopause and menopausal hormone therapy relate to pathways that could lead to dementia. By identifying sex-specific risk factors and biomarkers, it aims to improve early detection and prevention strategies for cognitive decline in women. The findings could help personalize approaches to protecting brain health as women age.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better prediction of dementia risk in women and more tailored prevention strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Some studies have linked menopause and hormone therapy to brain changes, but sex-specific biomarkers and risk models are still developing.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Veraart, Jelle — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Veraart, Jelle
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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.