Researchers at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) are inviting women from across the UK to take part in a new study exploring how Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) may influence memory and thinking skills during menopause, and whether these effects differ according to genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease.
The study is being led by Emily Budden, a PhD researcher at BSMS whose work focuses on menopause, HRT and cognition. Having previously worked in dementia research, Emily became interested in understanding why women are disproportionately affected by Alzheimer's disease and how brain health can be supported during midlife.
Many women experience changes in memory, concentration and thinking during menopause, often referred to as "brain fog". However, there is still much to learn about how menopause affects cognitive function and whether treatments such as HRT can help support brain health. Researchers also want to better understand the role that genetics may play in these changes.
The team is looking for women aged 40 to 60 who are based anywhere in the UK and are about to start HRT for menopause but have not yet begun treatment. Participants will complete online questionnaires and cognitive tasks before starting HRT and again after three and nine months of treatment. They will also be asked to provide a simple at-home cheek swab sample by post. Participants will receive a £20 voucher as a thank you for their time.
Emily said: “Women's health, particularly the impact of menopause on the brain, has historically been under-researched. By improving our understanding of how menopause and HRT influence memory and thinking, we hope to generate evidence that will help support women's brain health as they age.”
Anyone interested in taking part can find out more and register via the study website.
Alternatively, contact the research team at HRTstudy@bsms.ac.uk.