Celmatix’s Post

A fantastic new study by the Mosconi Lab reveals new evidence of the brain’s response to menopause transition. Not only this, the study pioneers the use of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging as a tool for studying estrogen activity in the brain, which hasn’t been possible to track until now. The researchers imaged 18 premenopausal, 18 perimenopausal, and 18 post-menopausal women aged 40-65, and recorded the density of ERs in various brain regions known to be regulated by estrogen. The results showed significantly higher ER (estrogen receptor) density in the brains of postmenopausal women compared with premenopausal women, with intermediate levels in perimenopausal women. This is in contrast to what was thought earlier that ERs disappear immediately after menopause. It would be interesting to see how this new finding can benefit perimenopause symptoms that most often start in the brain and in the long term impact cognition. https://lnkd.in/d2PBRMz3 #perimenopause #mosconilab #brainscans #estrogenactivity

First paper of its kind looking at what happens to the brain during menopause transition showing that it has ‘pronounced effects on human brain’s structure, connectivity, and energy metabolism’. Why am I excited by this? Because this is the start of truly understanding the neurological effects of menopause so that we can start research into how best to support and optimise brain health for women during this time. https://lnkd.in/gjnV2f_d

Forbion portfolio company Noema Pharma AG, a clinical-stage biotech company targeting debilitating neuroscience-based disorders, today announced the first patient has been dosed in a Phase 2a open-label study evaluating the safety and efficacy of NOE-115, a broad-spectrum monoamine modulator, in #women with vasomotor symptoms (VMS, also referred to as “hot flashes”) as well as other symptoms such as weight gain, daytime #fatigue and cognitive difficulties due to #menopause. “The initiation of this study marks our fifth Phase 2 program to enter the clinic as we seek to develop transformative medicines for underserved conditions which are rooted in neuroscience,” said Ilise Lombardo, M.D., chief executive officer of Noema. “With over 2 million women in the U.S. entering menopause annually, there is significant medical need for a treatment option capable of addressing a broad constellation of symptoms that accompany the menopause transition, so that women are able to maintain their health and quality of life. These include vasomotor symptoms as well as weight gain, significant daytime fatigue and cognitive difficulties.” Read more using the following link: https://lnkd.in/eRy-p5DY #neuroscience #lifesciences #biotech Nanna Lüneborg Audrey Cacaly

New research highlights that MRI scans might detect heart disease in women earlier and more accurately than current methods like echocardiography. The study shows that women often experience heart disease differently, making accurate diagnostics crucial. MRI scans provide clearer images and noninvasive pressure measurements, enhancing early detection and treatment. In women, the symptoms are often different: shortness of breath, reflux, nausea, vomiting, and a sensation that your bra might suddenly feel too tight. Non-traditional risk factors that play a significant role in a woman’s heart health: include estrogen levels, pregnancy complications, autoimmune diseases, family history, depression, and even breast tissue can all be indicators of heart attack risk. “I would also love to see a risk score that takes into account a woman’s breast calcium score because researchTrusted Source has found an association between breast calcification and predisposition to cardiovascular disease,” said Grayver. The scoring system used to predict a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease needs to get an upgrade to ensure it accounts for risk factors specifically affecting women, according to a study published today in the journal Frontiers in Physiology. #HeartHealth #WomensHealth #MRI #Cardiology #MedicalResearch #EarlyDetection #HealthcareInnovation #HeartDisease #HealthTech #WomensCardiology

#DidYouKnow that the term “Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause” (GSM) was formally adopted for use by the medical and research community only a decade ago? 💡 The change was spurred by a comprehensive review which revealed that existing terminology like atrophic vaginitis did not accurately describe the chronic, progressive condition experienced by more than 50% of postmenopausal women and 15% of premenopausal women 🙋🏻♀️ GSM was the focal point of a pilot study jointly conducted by researchers from the A*STAR Skin Research Labs (A*SRL), Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE) and the National University Hospital Singapore. Their objective was to explore the potential of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and imaging (DRSI) as a non-invasive and objective assessment tool for GSM. Existing approaches for the diagnosis and assessment of GSM include pelvic examinations, vaginal pH and vaginal biopsy. Validated tools like the vaginal health index scoring system are also used to determine GSM severity but do not adequately account for biological and sociocultural differences among Asians, since most research has been conducted in Western populations. The DRSI system was designed to detect tissue chromophores in the vulva skin, specifically water, lipid, oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin. Based on data gathered from a cohort of 50 postmenopausal women and 50 premenopausal women, these parameters were identified as potential surrogate biomarkers for the objective assessment of GSM symptoms. Building on these promising results, the research team is now working to refine the DRSI: “Currently, we are developing a second-generation DRS probe that can interrogate the epidermal layer of vulva skin in postmenopausal subjects. With further refinement of the study protocol and DRS probe configuration to interrogate the superficial/deeper vulva skin, DRSI has the potential to objectify the diagnosis and management of GSM.” For a more in-depth look at their findings, follow the link in the comments section to download the full publication from 𝙎𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙘 𝙍𝙚𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙨 👇 --- #SRIS #ASRL #skinresearch #skin #research #science #technology #scicomm #menopause #womenshealth #diagnostics #innovation #collaboration #healthyaging #Singapore

When asked if women live longer than men, but with poorer quality of life, gynecologist Guillermo Antiñolo says this: "Basically, yes, because they do not have estrogen and estrogen determines all the changes as they enter later life stages. Women age twice as fast as men from the menopause onwards – from the moment they lose estrogen. Hormone replacement therapy does not work for all women. It is a therapy that you have to personalize. But it can radically change a woman’s perspective and the perspective of her health. Estrogen determines a woman’s normal metabolism; it is central to cognitive development, to immune function, to cardiovascular function, to hyperlipidemia and vaginal atrophy." Read more about Dr. Antiñolo's “twilight” project here: https://lnkd.in/dn4PgYuR

Various methods of imaging the brain, from EEG to fMRI to PET scan, have all shown increased activity in the anterior cingulate cortex of the frontal lobe during hypnosis. This area is involved in attention, emotions, decision-making, and self-regulation. One specific fMRI study from 2015 gives us insight into how hypnotherapy can help with fear and anxiety. Participants with a dental phobia were given fear-inducing stimuli in an fMRI machine. This, expectedly, shot their amygdala "fear center" activity through the roof. With hypnosis, this same threatening stimuli had a reduced impact on the amygdala. Medical societies such as The Menopause Society, the Veterans Health Administration, and the American College of Gastroenterology have included hypnosis for guideline-level recommendations to treat various health conditions including hot flashes, symptoms of breast cancer treatment, weight loss, and irritable bowel syndrome. Wolf TG, Faerber KA, Rummel C, Halsband U, Campus G. Functional Changes in Brain Activity Using Hypnosis: A Systematic Review. Brain Sci. 2022 Halsband U, Wolf TG. Functional changes in brain activity after hypnosis in patients with dental phobia. J Physiol Paris. 2015 https://lnkd.in/gJiC9g8h https://lnkd.in/gshVXnN7 https://lnkd.in/gDTbeCfD

Do you know all of the effects estrogen plays in our lovely bodies? Estrogen is not just a hormone for reproduction - it’s a hormone for health.  Estrogen helps protect our bones, helps us build muscle, protects our brain from dementia and cognitive decline, lowers our risk of cardiovascular disease, and so much more. Yet, many women FEAR hormones due to the many misconceptions and misconstrued data. This week, I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Felice Gersh on the podcast to discuss the importance of estrogen and other hormones during perimenopause and beyond. Dr. Gersh breaks down the myths and misconceptions surrounding hormones and so much more. Dr. Gersh has degrees from Princeton University and from the University of Southern California School of Medicine, and she holds dual Board Certification in OB/GYN (obstetrics and gynecology) and Integrative Medicine. Dr. Gersh is also a prolific lecturer with multiple published articles in medical journals to her name and is the best-selling author of PCOS SOS and the PCOS SOS Fertility Fast Track. Her book Menopause: 50 Things You Need to Know, was ranked the #1 menopause book by Good Housekeeping Magazine. Dr. Gersh takes us on a deep dive into what women experience during perimenopause including the various symptoms and how we could better navigate this big transition time for women. Tune in this week to uncover the truth about estrogen, its role in our health, and how to navigate a very important time in a woman’s life to have greater health. She shares essential knowledge that every woman should be educated about as they navigate menopause. https://lnkd.in/giKi83h4

We're halfway through our series with #DrDismissive, who has a "suggestion" for me for my brain fog concerns. Go ahead and watch. Again while the video is meant to be a satire, brain fog is no joke. Turns out that your brain goes through A LOT when you're in the #womenover40. But in many cases, we're told that "it's in our head" and that there is no science to back it up. Well as it turns out, science does back this up and we need more research to get into this a bit more. In this past week, Lisa Mosconi, who is an Associate Professor of neuroscience in neurology and radiology, and director of the Women’s Brain Initiative at Weill Cornell Medicine, completed a study on menopause and brain health in Scientific Reports. It sheds new light on how menopause affects the brain. The research, conducted with 54 healthy women aged 40-65, used advanced brain imaging techniques to explore changes in estrogen activity during menopause. Key Findings: 1. Estrogen Receptor Changes: As women go through menopause, their brains produce more estrogen receptors. This seems to be a way for the brain to compensate for the lower levels of estrogen, a hormone that plays a vital role in many brain functions. 2. Link to Symptoms: The study found that higher levels of these receptors were associated with common menopausal symptoms like memory problems, mood swings, and anxiety. This suggests that these brain changes might be behind some of the cognitive and emotional challenges women face during menopause. 3. Implications for Therapy: Traditionally, it was believed that hormone therapy for menopause had to start early to be effective. However, this study indicates that the brain continues to need estrogen even years after menopause begins. This could mean that hormone therapy might still be beneficial later on than previously thought. 4. Brain Adaptability: Despite the changes brought on by menopause, the brain shows a remarkable ability to adapt. For instance, increases in blood flow to certain areas help keep the brain functioning well even as it undergoes these hormonal shifts. Just remember, #itsnotinyourhead. #justgolong

As we continue to recognize Healthy Aging Month, we would like to highlight the importance of bone health. Men and women experience bone loss differently as they age. After menopause, women face an accelerated loss of bone mass due to declining estrogen levels, putting them at a higher risk for osteoporosis. Our parathyroid and thyroid glands play a crucial role in balancing blood calcium levels and bone remodeling throughout life. While the link between age-related bone and reproductive lifespan is still being explored, it’s clear that hormones like estrogen and testosterone are key players in maintaining the “currency” of our anatomy. Being mindful of calcium and vitamin D intake is essential for bone health at any age. If you are curious about your bone density, you can request a DXA scan from your doctor. This will give you insights into your bone health and help you take preventative measures to maintain your function and mobility as you age. To date, bisphosphonates are the only FDA-approved drugs to treat osteoporosis. With the launching of the Women’s Health Research Initiative, we hope to see funding go towards understanding the relationship between bone health and hormones, as well as innovative therapeutic development for osteoporosis. Join experts from The National Institutes of Health and the Administration for Community Living for the Falls Prevention and Older Adults: Expert Q&A. This event will be held on Mon., Sept. 23, at 3:30 p.m. ET on NIA’s YouTube channel. More information on bone health and osteoporosis: https://lnkd.in/gqM5uHrm Diagram from Mayo Clinic’s Thematic Review on Skeletal Aging: https://lnkd.in/gJYuDwAs.