Protective and Risk Factors for Cognitive Function in the Menopause Transition
Funded at University of Kansas Lawrence · NIH-11372877 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how lifestyle, sleep, and cardiometabolic factors affect thinking and memory during menopause to help women maintain cognitive health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Lawrence NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lawrence, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $231,017 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM152280-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11372877 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Peri- and recently post-menopausal women with at least one cardiometabolic risk factor who are able to participate in cognitive assessments and activity monitoring.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without menopause-related cognitive symptoms or those not meeting inclusion criteria may not benefit.
What this research studies
Many women experience cognitive changes during menopause and currently have few good treatments. The project will look at how cardiometabolic health, sleep, vasomotor symptoms, and psychology relate to cognitive performance in peri- and recently post-menopausal women with risk factors. Researchers will use electronic health records to recruit a diverse group and collect high-quality measures of health, activity, sleep, mood, and a battery of cognitive tests. They will also test whether regular physical activity improves cognition by improving sleep and vasomotor symptoms. The work aims to generate practical ideas for targeted interventions to support cognitive function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide personalized strategies to preserve cognitive health in menopausal women, potentially reducing work impairment and long-term health risks.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies link sleep, vasomotor symptoms, and physical activity to cognitive function, but this project aims to clarify their relative contributions in a diverse sample.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kansas Lawrence
Lawrence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Watts, Amber — University of Kansas Lawrence
- Study coordinator: Watts, Amber
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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.