Towards an understanding of women’s brain aging: the immunology of pregnancy and menopause

2020/06/03 by Claudia Barth, Cláudia Barth, Ann-Marie G. de Lange +1
Immunology and Microbiology · Medicine · Psychology · #Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior #Pregnancy and Medication Impact #Reproductive System and Pregnancy

paper · pdf · doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100850

openalex publication_date 2020/06/03 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01

Abstract

Women are at significantly greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and show higher prevalence of autoimmune conditions relative to men. Women's brain health is historically understudied, and little is therefore known about the mechanisms underlying epidemiological sex differences in neurodegenerative diseases, and how female-specific factors may influence women's brain health across the lifespan. In this review, we summarize recent studies on the immunology of pregnancy and menopause, emphasizing that these major immunoendocrine transition phases may play a critical part in women's brain aging trajectories.

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