Research on female brain changes during hormonal transitions

Overview

Neuroscientists at the University of Amsterdam and Amsterdam UMC have released findings regarding how major hormonal transitions—puberty, pregnancy, and menopause—affect the female brain. Using MRI neuroimaging on a large sample of participants, researchers identified significant reductions in cortical grey matter volume during puberty and pregnancy.

In the case of pregnancy, these changes are localized in brain regions associated with empathy, social cognition, and the maternal bond. Researchers describe this process as an adaptive ‘fine-tuning’ or optimization for new cognitive tasks rather than a cognitive decline.

While the study initially noted that grey matter volume remains relatively stable during menopause, subsequent reports highlight the broader societal impact of hormonal shifts. A survey involving 850 women described the effects of perimenopause and menopause as a ‘silent crisis’ in both private and professional life, with approximately 80 percent of women reporting symptoms such as mood swings and memory issues that can persist for five to ten years.

Entities

Elseline Hoekzema · Pregnancy Brain Lab · Macià Buades-Rotger · Sophie van ‘t Hof · Sophie van’t Hof

Timeline

1 day ago

[HEALTH] 2 sources
Amsterdam UMC research reveals how pregnancy and menopause reshape the female brain
New research from Amsterdam UMC reveals that pregnancy causes brain changes similar to puberty, while surveys highlight the significant, often underestimated impact of menopause on women's lives and work.
4 days ago

[HEALTH] 5 sources
University of Amsterdam study reveals female brain changes during hormonal transitions
A University of Amsterdam study shows that while puberty and pregnancy cause significant grey matter reorganization in the female brain, menopause is characterized by relative structural stability.

Sources

ariadna.elmundo.es · eluniverso.com · howaboutmom.nl · imfarmacias.es · todoalicante.es · tomshw.it · zwembadbranche.nl