Timing of Menopausal Hormone Therapy to Protect Brain Health in Perimenopause
Official title: Timing of Menopausal Hormone Therapy across Perimenopause to Menopause Transition: Mechanistic Pathways and Therapeutic Targets
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-11423210 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research program uses AI and real-world data to understand how menopausal hormone therapy affects brain health and Alzheimer’s risk in women around menopause.
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) | $431,773 |
| NIH project number | 2P01AG026572-21 |
| Project ID | NIH-11423210 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women in perimenopause or menopause, especially those concerned about Alzheimer’s risk, who may have data or samples suitable for AI-driven analysis and biomarker studies.
✕Less likely to help
Women without access to the data sources or who do not fit the genetic or health criteria may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on how the timing, type, and genetic factors of menopausal hormone therapy influence brain health and Alzheimer’s risk in perimenopausal women. It combines data-driven, AI-based analyses with experimental and real-world human medical data to map how different MHT regimens affect brain pathways and identify biomarkers. The goal is to define when MHT may help, optimize which therapies to use, and tailor approaches based on genetic background like APOE genotype. Participants would contribute data and samples as part of broader observational and translational efforts, with an emphasis on translating findings into safer, more effective treatment windows.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could guide personalized MHT timing and choice to reduce Alzheimer’s risk and protect brain health in women transitioning through menopause.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies suggest that timing and type of MHT influence brain outcomes, but this project aims to refine mechanisms and personalize strategies using AI.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arizona
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vitali, Francesca — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Vitali, Francesca
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Timing of Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Brain Biomarkers in Women at Risk for Alzheimer's Disease
This study explores whether starting menopausal hormone therapy during a key window can influence brain markers and risk of Alzheimer's in women who are perimenopausal or postmenopausal.
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Timing of menopausal hormone therapy and brain aging in Alzheimer's risk
A research program is exploring how menopause-era hormone therapy affects brain aging and biomarkers related to Alzheimer's risk in women.
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Timing of Hormone Therapy and Brain Health in Perimenopause
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.
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Timing of Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Brain Aging in Women at Risk for Alzheimer's Disease
This NIH grant explores how the timing of hormone therapy during perimenopause affects brain aging and Alzheimer's risk in women.
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Understanding how vaginal tissue changes after menopause affect reproductive health
A research team is studying why the vaginal lining changes after menopause and how this affects health, with potential solutions to improve comfort and reduce infection risk for postmenopausal women.
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Menopause, hormones, and Alzheimer’s disease: an in vivo perspective
This project explores how hormone therapy around menopause might influence the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in postmenopausal women.
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.