Menopause temporarily slows ageing in women’s brains

A recent Dutch study found that menopause temporarily halts age-related shrinkage in women’s brains, ERR reports. Researchers said the decline in hormone levels during the menopausal transition may act as a temporary protective mechanism.

The study examined three major periods of hormonal change in women’s lives: puberty, pregnancy and menopause. Researchers from Amsterdam University Medical Centers analysed magnetic resonance imaging scans of more than 1,000 women across three projects.

They found that puberty and pregnancy, when levels of oestrogen and progesterone rise sharply, are associated with a significant reduction in grey matter volume in the cerebral cortex. The researchers said this should not be viewed as brain damage, but as the brain adapting to new demands.

During puberty and pregnancy, grey matter decreased in many of the same regions, particularly association areas in the frontal, parietal and temporal lobes. These parts of the cortex are involved in complex social skills and empathy. The researchers suggested that the changes may help women adapt to increasing social demands and support maternal care.

Other regions responded differently. Areas involved in sensory perception and movement changed much more during puberty than during pregnancy, while menopause affected them the least. The researchers said these anatomical differences show that the three life stages have distinct effects on the brain.

The team also examined deeper brain structures. Before puberty, structures such as the thalamus and hippocampus grew considerably in girls, but this development slowed or stopped when puberty began. The researchers said this shows that brain development depends closely on the specific region involved.