Grant: Doctoral: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

Framing the Issue Menopause is defined as the end of menstrual cycles after 12 consecutive months in females with ovaries. Menopause transition is a period of gradual decline in the hormone estrogen and is commonly associated with memory problems and depression. Lower estrogen levels are associated with reduced memory for one's personal past (episodic memory) and in the structure and function of the hippocampus (a brain region that supports memory), such that postmenopausal females perform worse on some types of memory tasks. Furthermore, females are at increased risk for depression, particularly when there are fluctuations in estrogen (e.g., during menopause), and depression is known to reduce brain volume in the hippocampus and impair memory. What remains unknown is how lifetime estrogen exposure, menopause, and depression interact together to impact memory abilities and specific regions within the hippocampus in females. Project Details This project is a 3-part research program that aims to understand the roles of lifetime estrogen exposure, menopause, and depression on episodic memory and brain health among females. I will use neuroimaging methods to obtain brain scans of participants while they perform a memory task, then trace out regions of interest on a portion of brain scans before entering the scans into a semi-automated algorithm to obtain volumetric data. Estrogen exposure will be calculated using participants' reproductive history. Depression scores will be gathered through a questionnaire. Impact of the Project Maintaining memory abilities with age is a public health challenge and females are at an increased risk for memory disorders such as Alzheimer's compared to males. Understanding how the unique reproductive experiences of females impact episodic memory and brain health is crucial to improving health equity. Findings from my research can be used in targeted brain resilience interventions, overall enhancing health outcomes in Canada.