Brain Health in Menopausal Women

Objective

With the global population of menopausal women projected to reach 1.2 billion by 2030, menopause represents a critical yet understudied period in women's health. Hormonal changes during this transition pose significant risks to brain health, cognitive function, and emotional well-being, while increasing vulnerability to age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Despite its profound societal relevance, menopause-related brain changes remain poorly understood, with limited biomarkers and evidence-based interventions available. MenoBrain aims to fill this gap by training a new generation of 15 doctoral candidates to address the pressing challenges of menopause-related brain health. The DCs will work within a multidisciplinary and international network of 18 participants (11 beneficiaries and 7 partners) spanning neuroimaging, neuropsychology, endocrinology, microbiome research and bioinformatics. MenoBrain will employ cutting-edge methods including advanced neuroimaging (MRI, DTI, PET, EEG), host-microbiome modelling, and computational BrainAGE models. This integrated approach will explore how hormonal changes associated with menopause and interventions such as menopausal hormone therapy impact cognitive health, gut-brain communication, and aging trajectories. The programme combines scientific excellence with a robust training structure to equip MenoBrain doctoral candidates with expertise in interdisciplinary and intersectoral research, advanced technologies, and transferable skills. By leveraging state-of-the-art infrastructure, MenoBrain will discover biomarkers for early detection of cognitive dysfunction, improve therapeutic strategies, and advance personalized healthcare for menopausal women. MenoBrain not only addresses a critical gap in women's health research, but also aligns with the EU's agenda to promote healthy aging, gender-specific healthcare, and fostering innovative training for the next generation of leaders in science and industry.