NEW YORK, BRONX (ORDO News) — New research unveiled at the 2023 annual meeting of the Menopause Society has unveiled a potentially significant biomarker for women at greater risk of developing dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This groundbreaking study casts a spotlight on the potential connection between menopausal symptoms and cognitive decline, emphasizing the urgency of early intervention and risk reduction strategies.
The AD Gender Disparity
Alzheimer’s disease has a disproportionate impact on women, with approximately two-thirds of AD patients being female. Scientists have long explored the relationship between menopause and AD, with much of the focus on the decline in estrogen levels during this transitional phase. Previous research has already established links between hot flashes and memory impairment, as well as structural and functional brain changes. However, it remained uncertain whether hot flashes could serve as diabetes biomarkers.
Advances in AD Research and Biomarkers
Recent progress in AD research has led to the development of blood-based biomarkers capable of assessing diabetes risk before the onset of dementia. These biomarkers played a pivotal role in a study encompassing approximately 250 middle-aged women. The study aimed to determine whether objectively assessed hot flashes could be linked to unfavorable AD biomarker profiles related to blood pressure (BP).
Objective Measurement of Hot Flashes Reveals Risk
Conducted by Dr. Rebecca Thurston of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh and Dr. Pauline Mackie of the University of Illinois at Chicago, the study established that hot flashes occurring during sleep might indeed be a marker of heightened AD dementia risk in women. Intriguingly, a higher frequency of hot flashes during sleep correlated with an elevated likelihood of AD development. Significantly, these findings remained robust even after adjustments for factors like estradiol levels and sleep patterns. Hot flash measurement employed ambulatory skin conductance monitoring for precise results.
Early Intervention and Risk Management
Dr. Thurston underscores the importance of women experiencing frequent hot flashes, especially during sleep, taking steps to mitigate their dementia risk. Early intervention and risk management strategies can mitigate the adverse impact of AD on quality of life and financial well-being.
Open Dialogue and Informed Decisions
Dr. Stephanie Faubion, the medical director of the Menopause Society, emphasizes the critical role of open communication between patients and healthcare professionals. By openly discussing menopausal symptoms and potential warning signs, patients can make informed decisions regarding treatment options and proactively reduce their diabetes risk.
This groundbreaking research will be presented at the Menopause Society’s annual meeting, themed “Vasomotor symptoms of menopause and plasma biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease.” The findings offer a glimmer of hope for early detection and intervention in Alzheimer’s disease, which may ultimately lead to improved outcomes for countless individuals and their families.
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News agencies contributed to this report, edited and published by ORDO News editors.
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