Timing of Hormone Therapy and Brain Health in Perimenopause
Official title: Timing of Menopausal Hormone Therapy across Perimenopause to Menopause Transition: Brain Glucose Metabolism
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-11423207 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study looking at how the timing and type of menopausal hormone therapy affect brain metabolism related to Alzheimer’s risk in women going through perimenopause.
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 start | August 15, 2006 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $650,757 |
| NIH project number | 2P01AG026572-21 |
| Project ID | NIH-11423207 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women going through perimenopause who are considering or using menopausal hormone therapy and who have or are known to carry APOE genotypes.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not experience brain metabolism changes or may not benefit from hormone therapy due to individual biology.
What this research studies
This program seeks to understand how the brain’s glucose use changes during perimenopause and how menopausal hormone therapy and APOE genotype might influence those changes. Researchers will use brain imaging and biological measures to see how different MHT formulations and timing impact brain energy and immune signals associated with Alzheimer’s risk. The project aims to identify opportunities to tailor hormone therapy to reduce the chance of later cognitive decline for women. It emphasizes translating findings into strategies that could help women during the perimenopausal window.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to personalized hormone therapy choices that preserve brain energy metabolism and potentially lower Alzheimer’s risk in women.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research shows brain metabolism changes during menopause; this project builds on that by examining how therapy timing and genetics influence these changes.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arizona
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brinton, Roberta Eileen — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Brinton, Roberta Eileen
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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.