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Menopause linked to Alzheimer's-like brain changes (Michelle Roberts, BBC News, Jan 26 2026)

"Prof Barbara Sahakian, senior author and from Cambridge University, said: "The brain regions where we saw these differences are ones that tend to be affected by Alzheimer's disease.

"Menopause could make these women vulnerable further down the line. While not the whole story, it may help explain why we see almost twice as many cases of dementia in women than in men."

The brain changes occurred in:

an area which has a major role in learning and memory - the hippocampus

a region essential for forming memories and spatial navigation - the entorhinal cortex

a part which helps with attention and regulating emotions - the anterior cingulate cortex (…)

According to guidelines for the NHS, HRT can be considered for menopausal symptoms such as sleep problems and hot flushes.

There is limited understanding of the effects of menopause and HRT use on the brain, memory and mood, say the researchers.

The study found women on HRT were more likely to suffer poor mental health.

But many of those already had poorer mental health before being prescribed the medication. (…)

Michelle Dyson from the Alzheimer's Society said women account for around two-thirds of people living with Alzheimer's disease in the UK.

"And while we still don't fully understand why they are more susceptible than men, it is thought that hormones may play a role," she said.

"This large study adds to evidence showing how menopause impacts the brain, including physical changes such as loss of brain volume.

"But without long-term participant tracking, to check if they later develop dementia, we cannot be sure that these brain changes associated with menopause also increase dementia risk."