Perimenopause, brain aging, and women's Alzheimer's risk
Administrative
Researchers are looking for brain and immune changes during perimenopause that could signal higher Alzheimer's risk in midlife women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11129671 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are a midlife woman, this program studies biological changes in the brain that happen during the perimenopausal transition using blood tests, advanced brain imaging, and clinical assessments. The work focuses on how the brain's immune and metabolic systems change in midlife and how those changes link to early signs of Alzheimer's risk. Multiple teams combine molecular, cellular, imaging, population, and clinical approaches, and Administrative Core A coordinates the projects, data sharing, and resources. The overall aim is to translate those discoveries into ways to identify and eventually prevent progression toward Alzheimer's-related brain changes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are midlife women going through perimenopause who can attend clinic visits for imaging, blood draws, and clinical assessments.
Not a fit: People who are not perimenopausal (for example, much younger women, men, or those with advanced Alzheimer's disease) are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help identify early warning signs of Alzheimer's in perimenopausal women and point to prevention strategies targeted to this life stage.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked menopause-related brain changes to Alzheimer's risk, but this coordinated, multi-level program aims to provide more comprehensive and translatable evidence.
Where this research is happening
Tucson, United States
- University of Arizona — Tucson, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brinton, Roberta Eileen — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Brinton, Roberta Eileen
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.