A recent study conducted by the University of Calgary suggests that severe symptoms of menopause could serve as early warning signs for dementia. Dr. Zahinoor Ismail, a professor at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, shared that the study is part of an ongoing cross-sectional research initiative on Canadian brains and aging from CAN-PROTECT.

Dr. Ismail’s interest in the effects of menopause was sparked by a case in 2001 where a woman presented with various brain-related symptoms, which were later attributed to early menopause. Normalizing her estrogen levels led to the resolution of her symptoms, prompting the genesis of this study.

The study encompasses 2,400 participants across Canada, who are surveyed on various aspects of their health, wellness, lifestyle, and medical history. Among them, data from 800 postmenopausal women are being analyzed to understand the impact of menopause on the brain. The findings, presented at the Canadian Conference on Dementia, highlighted a correlation between the number of menopausal symptoms and cognitive impairment, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and dementia risk.

Dr. Ismail emphasized that a higher number of menopausal symptoms was associated with increased impairment and symptoms. Additionally, postmenopausal women who had undergone estrogen-based treatments during menopause exhibited fewer neuropsychiatric symptoms compared to those who hadn’t.