\n\t\t\t\t\t\tResearchers at Iowa State University have launched a study to explore how menopause impacts brain and vascular aging, aiming to address women\u2019s long-term health risks. In some form or another, and at some point in life, every woman will experience menopause, with symptoms like hot flashes and sleep problems being the most obvious. However, what happens quietly during this transition may hold the key to a woman\u2019s long-term health. “I’m not the menopause expert. I’m just trying to understand how it impacts the brain,” said Wesley Lefferts, assistant professor of kinesiology and health at Iowa State University. Up until now, brain-aging research has primarily focused on men, but Lefferts wants to change that. “It’s not really something we can ignore anymore,” he said. While women tend to live longer than men, they are also more likely to be diagnosed with cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia and to experience worse outcomes after a stroke. Lefferts is leading the BRAVA Study (BRAin & VAscular health across menopause), which examines how menopause may accelerate vascular and brain aging. “Our study is not going to make perimenopause any less enjoyable, or any less confusing for you or your body,” Lefferts said. “But the hope is that we can identify things that you can do, behaviors or medications you can rely on to help set yourself up to age more gracefully, lower your long-term risk of cerebrovascular disease and stroke.” Over the next two to three years, researchers aim to study around 370 women between the ages of 40 and 64 throughout the premenopausal, perimenopausal and early postmenopausal transition. Women who do not experience a menstrual cycle because their uterus has been removed are also eligible.”There is so much energy, passion and desire for this kind of work. We’ve had amazing response rates, incredibly enthusiastic participants driving two to three hours to come for visits,” Lefferts said. “So, I’m just completely overwhelmed. And to be honest, just so, honored, I guess, to be able to be a part of this community and try to help answer things in this area.”Participants will undergo a series of tests, ranging from lying down to exercising on a treadmill. Each step helps advance research and close a significant gap in understanding women\u2019s health. “I think that even though we aren’t going to have the answers right away, perimenopause is still going to be an absolute roller coaster ride,” Lefferts said. “Just that someone is asking, looking, and trying to figure things out makes them feel more heard.” Researchers are currently enrolling participants in the study. Participants will also receive a detailed 13-page comprehensive health report.To learn more or apply to be a participant, email brava@iastate.edu.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\tAMES, Iowa \u2014 \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Researchers at Iowa State University have launched a study to explore how menopause impacts brain and vascular aging, aiming to address women\u2019s long-term health risks. <\/p>\n
In some form or another, and at some point in life, every woman will experience menopause, with symptoms like hot flashes and sleep problems being the most obvious. However, what happens quietly during this transition may hold the key to a woman\u2019s long-term health. <\/p>\n
“I’m not the menopause expert. I’m just trying to understand how it impacts the brain,” said Wesley Lefferts, assistant professor of kinesiology and health at Iowa State University. <\/p>\n
Up until now, brain-aging research has primarily focused on men, but Lefferts wants to change that. <\/p>\n
“It’s not really something we can ignore anymore,” he said. <\/p>\n
While women tend to live longer than men, they are also more likely to be diagnosed with cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia and to experience worse outcomes after a stroke. <\/p>\n