Iowa State Launches 370-Woman Menopause Brain-Aging Study
Updated
Updated · KCCI Des Moines · Jun 30
Iowa State Launches 370-Woman Menopause Brain-Aging Study
2 articles · Updated · KCCI Des Moines · Jun 30
Summary
Iowa State researchers have opened enrollment for the BRAVA Study, which will track about 370 women ages 40 to 64 over the next two to three years.
The project will examine whether menopause accelerates brain and vascular aging, a question researchers say has been understudied because brain-aging work has largely focused on men.
Participants across premenopause, perimenopause and early postmenopause — including some women without menstrual cycles after uterus removal — will complete tests from resting measures to treadmill exercise.
The study is aimed at identifying behaviors or medications that could lower long-term risks such as cerebrovascular disease, stroke, Alzheimer's and dementia, while giving participants a 13-page health report.
With research historically focused on men, what critical brain health secrets will this study finally uncover?
How can a woman's reproductive history predict her long-term risk of stroke and Alzheimer's disease?
Is menopausal 'brain fog' a temporary nuisance or an early warning for future dementia and stroke?
How the BRAVA Study Is Uncovering the Hidden Risks of Menopause: Iowa State’s 370-Woman Investigation into Brain and Vascular Aging
Overview
Iowa State University has launched the BRAVA study, led by Dr. Wesley Lefferts, to explore how menopause may speed up brain and vascular aging in women. The research focuses on perimenopause, a key transition phase, aiming to fill knowledge gaps about how cardiovascular changes during this time affect the brain. The study is well-funded by major organizations and includes women at different menopause stages. By combining detailed health assessments and wearable technology, BRAVA seeks to uncover early signs of aging and provide insights that could improve women’s long-term brain and heart health.