EWJ FEB 59 2025 web - Flipbook - Page 49
Understanding Accelerated Reproductive
Ageing and Mental Wellbeing in Females
New research from the University of Liverpool illustrates how accelerated reproductive ageing
in females (e.g. early puberty or early menopause) is linked to experiences of mental health
challenges.
This latest research builds on existing work in animals
that shows how reproductive hormones help the brain
manage and protect itself from stress. Researchers in
the Institute of Population Health together with collaborators from Monash University, Australia, University of Melbourne, Australia and Yale University,
North America have identified individual differences
in functional brain organisation in humans which link
faster reproductive ageing, a likely marker of greater
biological wear-and-tear, to greater stress sensitivity.
vision, and attention. Brain connectivity patterns linked
to early puberty overlapped with regions associated
with psychosis vulnerability. Meanwhile, middle-aged
women (aged 36-60 years) who progressed towards
menopause faster than expected based on their
chronological age showed more unstable functional
connectivity patterns, suggestive of premature ageing,
in areas involved in attention and memory. Brain patterns linked to early menopause also overlapped with
regions associated with major depression vulnerability.
Researchers analysed spontaneous brain activity and
connectivity patterns observed when participants were
at rest. Reproductive ageing was measured via
parental reports of pubertal timing in adolescence and
self-reports of reproductive cycle characteristics in
middle-age. For all participants, stress exposure and
sensitivity were assessed via self-reported experiences
of pain and hostility from others.
Psychology lecturer, Dr Raluca Petrican, who led the
study said: “Our study suggests that faster reproductive ageing affects brain function in ways that could
increase social stress sensitivity, with differences based
on age and so is likely to lead to distinct mental health
challenges in adolescence vs middle-age.
The paper, ‘Functional Brain Network Dynamics Mediate the Relationship between Female Reproductive
Aging and Interpersonal Adversity’, was published in
Nature Mental Health (DOI: 10.1038/s44220-02400352-9).
The study found that early puberty at ages11-12 was
related to more unstable functional connectivity
patterns in brain regions tied to memory, imagination,
Dr Linda Monaci
Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist
Medico-legal assessments for suspected or known brain injury and/or
brain dysfunction in Personal Injury and Medical Negligence claims
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Acquired brain injury
Cognitive dysfunction
Stroke
Epilepsy
Mental capacity assessments
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Post-concussion syndrome
Anoxia
Dementia
Neuropsychiatric conditions
Alcohol and drug abuse
Medico-legal services: Instructions from Claimants, Defendants and as a Single Joint Expert. Assessments can also be carried out in Italian.
Dr Monaci has a good knowledge of Swedish and Spanish and has experience of working through interpreters.
Dr Monaci has completed the Cardiff University Bond Solon Expert Witness Certificates.
Dr Monaci receives approximately 60% instructions from Claimants and 40% from Defendants. In April 2024, Dr Monaci counted each new
instruction received in the previous 12 months and found the percentages were as follows: 58% Claimant / 37% Defendant / 5% Jointly
instructed.
Clinical services:
Neurorehabilitation services in Surrey.
Main consulting rooms (nationwide locations):
Consultations for medico-legal services are available in London, Guildford, Horsham, Leatherhead and Southampton.
Assessments in care homes and in individuals' home may also be possible when based on clinical needs.
Clinical services are available in Surrey. Available for travel throughout the UK and abroad.
Correspondence address:
Email: linda@monaciconsultancy.com
www.monaciconsultancy.com
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