How does menopause affect women ' s cerebral blood flow?

Arterial spin labeling MRI shows that alterations in women's cerebral blood flow begin during perimenopause and may be due to an increased burden of white-matter hyperintensities, researchers have reported.The study results may suggest ways women transitioning through menopause can be supported as their risk of cerebrovascular disease rises, wrote a team led by Wei Guo, PhD, of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University in Taian, China. The group's findings were published October 18 in Stroke."[Our] findings mark the menopause transition as a unique phase in women's life with altered cerebral perfusion, which may lead to an increased risk of cerebrovascular disease later in life," it wrote.Changes in brain blood flow increase a person's risk of disease, and women going through menopause may be especially vulnerable, the group noted."Altered cerebral hemodynamics, including decreased cerebral blood flow and cerebrovascular reactivity, are associated with an increased risk of cerebrovascular disorders such as cerebral ischemic stroke, cerebral small vessel disease, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer disease," it explained. "Given that women during menopause transition are at an increased risk of cerebrovascular diseases and neurodegenerative disorders, it is of clinical relevance to assess cerebral perfusion in this population, and to evaluate the effect of menopause on cerebral perfusion, which in turn can deepen the understanding of phy...
Source: AuntMinnie.com Headlines - Category: Radiology Authors: Tags: Clinical News MRI Source Type: news