The sex hormones taken by postmenopausal women to replenish their hormonal resources have rejuvenating properties for the brain, researchers say.
Women using Hormone Replacement Therapy in tests examining the cooperation of the cerebral hemispheres showed better results than those who do not take hormones. It turns out that this phenomenon is a mirror image of the brain activity of a young woman, whose body produces natural hormones by itself.
In a psychological study conducted by Durham University, 62 women aged 46 to 71 who had already gone through the menopause took part. 36 of them were on hormone therapy. They were all right-handed.
Participants in the study were asked to tackle several motor tasks, such as fastening buttons with different fingers using both hands. It turned out that both hands presented identically, which proves that both hemispheres worked better with each other. A more pronounced interaction was seen in women undergoing hormone therapy.
The results suggest that sex hormones open some kind of gate between the left and right sides of the brain, activating both hemispheres to interact together.
Sex hormones are a powerful brain reorganization tool that can affect not only sexual and reproductive behavior, but also cognitive behavior. Now we want to determine if sex hormones can make the brain less susceptible to the effects of stroke and other injuries by dividing the load into two hemispheres. Because the older a woman is, the more susceptible she is to this type of injury, says Dr. Markus Hausmann, the head of the research team.
Previous studies have already demonstrated some important properties of hormones, namely that they can protect brain functions such as spatial orientation and memory. Today, however, it is too early to say that HRT can help women with stroke.
Currently, in the UK alone, around XNUMX million women are taking hormone therapy to relieve symptoms of the menopause. Supplementing estrogen is important because a decrease in estrogen during menopause causes hot flashes, low sex drive, mood changes, bone brittleness and night sweats. (PAP)
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