In a recent article published in American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Drs. Rebecca Thurston and Pauline Maki, leading scientists in the field of the impact of menopause on brain function, presented data from their evaluation of 248 late perimenopausal and postmenopausal patients who reported hot flashes, also known as vasomotor symptoms.
Hot flashes are known to be associated with changes in the white matter of the brain, carotid atherosclerosis, brain function and memory. Dr. Rebecca and colleagues objectively assessed vasomotor symptoms over 24 hours using skin conductance monitoring. Plasma concentrations of Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers, including beta-amyloid 42/40 ratio, were assessed. The average age of study participants was 59 years, and they experienced an average of five objective vasomotor symptoms daily.
An important finding was that vasomotor symptoms, particularly those occurring during sleep, were associated with a significantly lower amyloid beta 42/40 ratio. Alzheimer’s.
Previous research has found that climacteric hormone therapy is associated with favorable changes in Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers. Similarly, large observational studies have indicated a lower incidence of the disease among women who begin hormone therapy late in perimenopause or early postmenopause and continue this therapy long term.
The findings of this important study by Dr. Rebecca and colleagues provide further evidence to support the possibility that agents that reduce nocturnal hot flashes (including hormone therapy) may decrease the subsequent incidence of Alzheimer’s disease in high-risk patients. .
This content was translated from Medscape
Credits:
Main image: iStock / Getty Images
Medscape © 2024 WebMD, LLC
The opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of WebMD or Medscape.
Cite this: Nighttime Hot Flashes and Alzheimer’s Risk – Medscape – May 6, 2024.
Tags: Nighttime hot flashes Alzheimers risk
--
