Harbor Health’s Post

So excited about this publication. The authors used Positron Emission Tomography (PET imaging) to study estrogen activity in women's brains. PET is usually used in oncology studies but here is an amazing example reimagining possibilities and probing into questions that remain unasked by others. Imagine what else we could uncover in women's health if we 1. ask the question 2. fund the research 3. make that research accessible to all (not just those who can pay for access to journals) 4. translate the research into products and services that can help women I am felling very hopeful for women in 2024.....menopause is not a trend. menopause is up to 1/3 of a woman's life. While it's a normal biological process, it is not normal to accept the lack of solutions to ensure women live WELL longer.

Exciting news in the world of women's health and menopause! The first-ever in vivo brain estrogen imaging study has just been published in Nature by Dr. Lisa Mosconi et. al, and it’s open access! This means anyone can read it without any cost, making this groundbreaking research accessible to all. Here are some fascinating takeaways from the authors: -Estrogen receptors remain abundant in the brain after menopause – suggesting a potential extended window for estrogen therapy interventions. -Brain estrogen receptors are linked to menopausal symptoms – so, if you've ever felt like you're "losing it" during menopause, this study shows there's a biological basis for symptoms like low mood, memory lapse and reduced focus. This paper is a must-read, even if you’re not a scientist. By downloading and engaging with it, you show your support for women’s health research and signal the need for more studies focused on women. Kudos to the authors for making this vital knowledge open access. Let's celebrate and advocate for more inclusive research! Read the full article here https://lnkd.in/dKHCbRMH #WomensHealth #Menopause #Estrogen #ScientificResearch #OpenAccess #BrainHealth #NatureMagazine 4o

If you only do one thing today, download this research into women’s brains so that more research can be commissioned…. Groundbreaking new study published today by Dr Lisa Mosconi and others in Nature, one of the top scientific journals in the world. For the first time ever, they have been able to put tracers in the brain that tracks estrogen activity in women’s brains. The brain as well as ovaries can produce estrogen. The results show how estrogen receptor density changes in our brains during the menopause journey. https://lnkd.in/gjBCfAXH Downloading shows the major science/medicine journals that studies relating to menopause are important and more should be published. Here’s Dr Mosconi’s summary of the findings: https://lnkd.in/gFxs2tYt Dr Mosconi talks about it more here: https://lnkd.in/gtkBN5jP 1/5 women will leave their career due to symptoms of per-menopause / menopause and so far most of the research has only been done on mice’s brains not actual human women’s brains 😳 Funny story (sarcasm 😂) this research shows mice’s brains are different to a woman’s as they found estrogen receptors in parts of women’s brains that were not present in mice. There is evidence that the higher your total lifetime of estrogen exposure means less risk of developing Alzheimer’s so this study shows that during peri-menopause and menopause, rather than declining, the estrogen receptors are lighting up as they are hungry for estrogen! But unfortunately estrogen production declines during this phase.. So many more studies are needed… If you’re not sure if you’re going through this, but something doesn’t feel right, I wrote a blog sharing my symptoms and how they impacted my day to day and how HRT has helped me feel better. You can read it here: https://lnkd.in/g4D6RWcw #perimenopause #menopausejourney #menopause

How exciting! Our knowledge of estrogen receptor (ER) expression and regulation by neuroendocrine aging in the living women brain just got expanded! ”A new in vivo brain 18F-fluoroestradiol (18F-FES) Positron Emission Tomography (PET) study of healthy midlife women reveals progressively higher ER density over the menopause transition in estrogen-regulated networks. Effects were independent of age, plasma estradiol and sex hormone binding globulin, and were highly consistent, correctly classifying all women as being postmenopausal or premenopausal. Higher ER density in target regions was associated with poorer memory performance for both postmenopausal and perimenopausal groups, and predicted presence of self-reported mood and cognitive symptoms after menopause. These findings provide novel insights on brain ER density modulation by female neuroendocrine aging, with clinical implications for women’s health.” #health #womenshealth #menopause #postmenopausal #perimenopause #women #womenempowering #brainhealth #hrt #lifestylemedicine #mentalhealth #aging #healthyaging #mood #hotflashes #brainfog

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

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

Neurovascular-Nuggets (16) 🎁the key points and clinical implications from this paper: Main Points: - This cross-sectional MRI study looked at cerebral blood flow (CBF) in premenopausal, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal women compared to similar-aged men. - Premenopausal women had higher CBF in whole brain, gray matter, and white matter compared to the other groups. - Perimenopausal and postmenopausal women had more white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) than premenopausal women and men. - Multivariate regression analysis showed menopause status and the interaction of age and menopause status significantly affected CBF. - Premenopausal women showed slight CBF increases with age, while peri- and postmenopausal women showed CBF declines. Clinical Implications: - The findings suggest alterations in brain perfusion begin during perimenopause, possibly due to increased WMHs. - Monitoring brain perfusion changes in perimenopausal women could help identify those at higher cerebrovascular disease risk. - Strategies to maintain better brain perfusion during the menopausal transition may help reduce future cerebrovascular risk. - CBF could be a useful neuroimaging biomarker for cerebrovascular risk during menopause. - Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify how menopause-related CBF changes correlate to outcomes. Read more at  #neurovascularnuggets https://lnkd.in/dRNp95kY

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

This is an excellent article on the importance of vagus nerve stimulation to achieve autonomic nervous system homeostasis, the key to health. https://lnkd.in/gZVFHsK8

🧠 Understanding Menopause and Andropause: Neurohormonal Changes and Brain Impact 🌟 Menopause and andropause are not just hormonal shifts; they're neurohormonal phases that profoundly affect the brain. Recent research highlights how these transitions reshape neural circuits, impacting cognition, mood, and overall brain health. Let's explore the implications for both men and women. 🚹 Andropause: Traditionally overshadowed by menopause, andropause in men involves declining testosterone levels and alterations in other hormones. These changes impact brain function, leading to cognitive changes such as decreased memory, reduced executive function, and increased risk of cognitive decline. Understanding the neurobiology of andropause can help develop targeted interventions to support cognitive health in aging men. 🚺 Menopause: In women, menopause brings a decline in estrogen and progesterone, impacting brain structure and function. Research suggests that menopause-related hormonal changes may contribute to cognitive decline, mood disturbances, and increased risk of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. However, menopause also presents an opportunity for neuroplasticity and adaptation, with potential implications for cognitive aging and brain health. 💡Implications for Both Genders: Understanding the neurohormonal aspects of menopause and andropause underscores the importance of comprehensive healthcare approaches that address both hormonal and neurological aspects. Lifestyle interventions such as exercise, nutrition, stress management, and cognitive stimulation can support brain health during these transitions. Additionally, hormone replacement therapy and other targeted treatments may help mitigate cognitive symptoms and promote overall well-being. As we delve deeper into the neurobiology of menopause and andropause, we gain insights into how these transitions shape brain health and cognition in both men and women. By integrating this knowledge into clinical practice and public health initiatives, we can better support individuals navigating these neurohormonal phases and promote healthy aging for all. 🧠💪 #Menopause #Andropause #BrainHealth #Neurobiology 🌿