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TOKYO, Japan / SENDAI, Japan – Women who experience menopause before the age of 40 may face worse cognitive function later in life compared to those who enter menopause at age 50 or later, according to a new study published on April 15, 2025, in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.
The research, conducted by a team from Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine and the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, sheds light on potential sex-specific risk factors for dementia and cognitive decline. Dementia disproportionately affects women worldwide, prompting researchers to investigate factors unique to female biology.
The study utilized data from the comprehensive English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, analyzing information from 4,726 women and 4,286 men. Women were categorized based on their age at menopause: early (before 40), intermediate (40-49), and later (50 or older). Researchers assessed cognitive functions, including orientation, immediate and delayed memory recall, and verbal fluency, and tracked changes two years later.
Crucially, the analysis adjusted for baseline cognitive function and known modifiable risk factors for dementia. This included controlling for depression, as early menopause is associated with a higher risk of depression, which itself is a risk factor for dementia. “When looking for associations, we want to rule out as many other modifiable risk factors for dementia as possible,” explained Miharu Nakanishi, the study’s lead author from Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine. “Since early menopause increases the risk of depression, which then increases the risk of dementia, we had to control for this factor to determine if early menopause in of itself was a direct risk factor.”
After these adjustments, the findings revealed a significant association: women who entered menopause before age 40 showed poorer performance in orientation, immediate recall, and delayed recall at the two-year follow-up compared to women who entered menopause at 50 or later.
Interestingly, the study also found that women who experienced menopause at age 50 or older actually demonstrated better cognitive function compared to the male participants in the study. Furthermore, the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), a common treatment for menopausal symptoms, was not found to be associated with cognitive function outcomes in this particular analysis.
The researchers suggest these results imply that women experiencing early menopause could represent a specific high-risk group for accelerated cognitive decline. This information may prove valuable for clinicians when assessing a patient’s overall risk profile for developing dementia.
“Understanding this relationship in-depth could potentially help us design treatments that delay the onset of dementia in at-risk patients,” Nakanishi added, highlighting the need for further research to explore the underlying biological mechanisms connecting female hormone levels, menopause timing, and cognitive health.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information provided regarding a specific research study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individuals should consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to their health or treatment.
