Welcome back to another edition of Menopause Mondays®!
I recently attended the Menopause Society annual meeting in Philadelphia. Believe me, my layperson’s brain is overflowing with information to share with you.
Today, we’re diving into a fascinating study that was presented by Dr. Rebecca Thurston, PhD, from the University of Pittsburgh. The study sheds light on the connection between vasomotor symptoms during menopause, particularly hot flashes, and Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers. This groundbreaking research comes from the MsBrain study and has important implications for women’s health.
Hot Flashes and Alzheimer’s Disease: Uncovering the Link
The MsBrain study, led by Rebecca Thurston, PhD, from the University of Pittsburgh, delved into the relationship between vasomotor symptoms experienced during menopause and Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers. Vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes, have long been considered an uncomfortable but ultimately benign part of the menopausal experience. However, this study suggests these symptoms may be more significant than previously thought.
The study involving 274 postmenopausal women discovered that vasomotor symptoms (layperson’s term is hot flashes and night sweats), specifically those occurring during sleep, were associated with lower plasma levels of the Alzheimer’s biomarker amyloid beta 42/40 ratio. This lower ratio indicates a higher number of amyloid plaques in the brain, a known marker for Alzheimer’s disease. The connection remained significant even after accounting for factors such as estradiol levels and sleep duration.
Dr. Thurston emphasized that hot flashes are not merely a bothersome midlife symptom but have far-reaching implications for women’s health. Besides the link to Alzheimer’s biomarkers, it was also noted that women experiencing more hot flashes tended to have poorer cardiovascular health. This revelation underscores the importance of addressing vasomotor symptoms and improving the overall health and quality of life for menopausal women.
The Quest for Answers
While these findings are certainly eye-opening, it’s important to note that the study’s goal is not to scare women but rather to improve their health during midlife. Researchers are still in the early stages of understanding the precise relationship between vasomotor symptoms and Alzheimer’s risk. It remains unclear whether treating these symptoms during sleep could reduce the risk of dementia.
Stephanie Faubion, MD, MBA, director of the Mayo Clinic’s Center for Women’s Health, also emphasized that the direction of causation is uncertain. We don’t know if women with these Alzheimer’s biomarkers are more prone to vasomotor symptoms. This highlights the need for further research in this area.
Sleep Hot Flashes and Brain Health
One intriguing finding of the study was that the association between hot flashes and Alzheimer’s biomarkers was primarily driven by sleep hot flashes. This suggests that something specific about sleep-related vasomotor symptoms may affect brain health, independent of sleep quality or estrogen levels.
It is still unclear if vasomotor symptoms during sleep can serve as a predictive tool for Alzheimer’s risk. Future studies, especially those following individuals with more sleep-related vasomotor symptoms over time, may help provide more answers in this regard.
The MsBrain study has brought to light a compelling connection between hot flashes during menopause and Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers. While the exact nature of this relationship remains to be fully understood, it underscores the importance of addressing menopausal symptoms and women’s health in midlife. If you are experiencing hot flashes, do not pretend you are “fine” and suffer in silence. Make an appointment with a Menopause Specialist. If you don’t have one, I have some great tips here.
As research in this field progresses, hopefully, they will gain more insights into the potential implications and interventions for women experiencing vasomotor symptoms.
Stay tuned for more Menopause Mondays® as we continue to report on the latest developments in women’s health and menopause-related research. Your health and well-being matter. I’ve got you!
My motto: Suffering in silence is OUT! Reaching out is IN!
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