Grant: Project Grant - Priority Announcement: Aging

Each year, millions of females around the world experience the menopause transition (i.e., perimenopause), when hormones levels change rapidly and can cause many symptoms including hot flashes, weight gain, and sleep problems. Importantly, perimenopause may increase the risk of dementia for females and contribute to the fact that 2/3 of those living with Alzheimer's disease are females. Indeed, research studies show that middle-aged females demonstrate significant declines in their thinking abilities and detrimental changes in their brains as they go through the menopause transition. Thus, perimenopausal females need strategies to bolster their brain health. Exercise is a promising strategy to dementia prevention with the World Health Organization recommending physical activity as an approach to reduce declines in thinking abilities with age. However, whether exercise can specifically improve thinking abilities and brain health in perimenopausal females is not established. Our research aims to address this important knowledge gap. We will study the effects of a 6-month home-based exercise program on thinking abilities in 150 physically inactive perimenopausal females, aged 40 to 55 years. In addition to measuring thinking abilities, we will also determine if the home-based exercise program benefits brain health, sleep quality, heart health, mental well-being, menopausal symptoms, and quality of life. We will also explore how exercise improves cognitive function as such information can lead to new discoveries and therapies for brain health in females. Given the immense health and financial burden imposed by cognitive decline and dementia, our proposed study could have major impact. The results will guide future strategies to positively shape the path of cognitive aging experienced by females.