Menopause Linked to Alzheimer’s-Like Brain Changes

A large UK study of nearly 125,000 women, including 11,000 with MRI scans, suggests menopause is associated with loss of grey matter in brain regions tied to memory and emotion, similar to changes seen in Alzheimer’s disease. Affected areas include the hippocampus (learning and memory), entorhinal cortex (spatial memory), and anterior cingulate cortex (attention and emotion regulation).

Researchers speculate these changes may partly explain why women face almost twice the dementia risk of men. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) did not prevent grey matter loss, and women on HRT were more likely to report poor mental health, though some had pre-existing issues.

Experts stress the importance of addressing both physical and mental health during menopause and encourage women to seek support without stigma. Lifestyle measures like regular exercise, not smoking, and limiting alcohol may help reduce dementia risk.

Further long-term tracking is needed to confirm whether menopause-related brain changes directly increase dementia risk.

31-01-2026