Menopause and neurological disorders: a roadmap for research

11/08/2026

AI Summary

Menopause is under-recognised as a biological and sociocultural determinant of brain health, with minimal scientific understanding of its impact.
Critical knowledge gaps: effects of menopausal transition on women with neurological conditions, mechanisms of postmenopausal disease-course changes, and sex-specific management evidence.
Research roadmap proposes priorities: address historical barriers, collect longitudinal data, and develop targeted studies to clarify menopausal influence on cognitive decline and neurological risk.

TL;DR (AI Generated)

We lack sufficient data to understand the experience of women with established neurological conditions during perimenopause, the mechanisms associated with postmenopausal changes in disease course and how to improve management of neurological conditions in a sex-specific way.

Although earlier menopause is associated with a greater risk of cognitive decline, the influence of the menopausal transition on subsequent risk of neurological conditions remains unclear.

To address these challenges, we consider existing knowledge and propose priorities and future research directions to advance our understanding of the relationship between menopause and neurological health and disease.

Basic summary

Nat Rev Neurol. 2026 Aug 10. doi: 10.1038/s41582-026-01244-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Menopause is under-recognized as a biological and sociocultural contributor to brain health, and scientific understanding of the impact that the menopausal transition has on the brain is minimal. This knowledge gap is particularly detrimental for women who live with neurological conditions. We lack sufficient data to understand the experience of women with established neurological conditions during perimenopause, the mechanisms associated with postmenopausal changes in disease course and how to improve management of neurological conditions in a sex-specific way. Furthermore, approximately two thirds of women experience cognitive concerns during the menopausal transition. Although earlier menopause is associated with a greater risk of cognitive decline, the influence of the menopausal transition on subsequent risk of neurological conditions remains unclear. In this Roadmap, we identify key areas in which research is limited and highlight historical and scientific challenges that have hindered progress in understanding brain health in the context of menopause. To address these challenges, we consider existing knowledge and propose priorities and future research directions to advance our understanding of the relationship between menopause and neurological health and disease.

PMID:42575966 | DOI:10.1038/s41582-026-01244-5

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