The Female Brain

Earlier this semester on September 10th, Dr. Meharvan Singh, Vice Dean of research for Stritch School of Medicine came in to present his research on the effects of estrogen on neurodegenerative diseases in women. He explained that in his research he looked in to the effects of the deprivation of BDNF, a protein that impacts cognitive performance and acts as a neuroprotectant, caused by the removal of ovaries in rats. Ovaries provide estrogen and progesterone to the body and the removal of ovaries was used to simulate a menopausal state in the rats. This resulted in a dramatic drop in BDNF which was then connected to a higher rate of neurodegenerative diseases. Connecting this with the impact that low estrogen and progesterone have of BDNF levels it shows that menopausal women, who have lowered estrogen and progesterone, are more susceptible to neurodegenerative diseases.

In the article, “How Pregnancy May Affect the Risk of Alzheimer’s,” by Alice Park it goes into how the higher levels of estrogen and progesterone that women are exposed to during pregnancy can impact the risk of Alzheimer’s later in life. Two different studies are referenced. The first one, done by Rachel Whitmer, showed that women who had given birth to three or more kids had a 12% lower risk of dementia, while those who had miscarriages had an 8% higher risk per miscarriage. They also found that those who received their period after the age of 16 were 22% less likely to develop dementia. In the second study, performed by Dr. Ki Woong Kim, they found that women who had more than five children showed twice the risk of developing Alzheimers. Kim suggests that while at certain levels, these hormones can be protective but at high levels they can be harmful.



From what was found in Dr Singh’s research, it would make sense that women who have been exposed to more estrogen, through pregnancy or longer fertility periods, would be less likely to develop neurodegenerative diseases. Further research must be done to clear up the contradictions between the two studies and, if multiple pregnancies and/or miscarriages do increase risk, what is the link between then high level exposure to estrogen and progesterone and neurodegenerative diseases.

Work Cited:

Park, Alice. “How Pregnancy May Affect the Risk of Alzheimer's.” Time, Time, 23 July 2018, time.com/5344603/pregnancy-risk-alzheimers-disease/.