Groundbreaking Study: Imaging of Estrogen in the Brain

A groundbreaking and incredibly exciting research article was published today in Nature Magazine with lead author Dr. Lisa Mosconi, entitled “In vivo brain estrogen receptor density by neuroendocrine aging and relationships with cognition and symptomatology.” In this research study, they were able to create an estrogen tracer in the brain and they were able to quantify and measure how many estrogen receptors are in the brain. This is the first time this has been done in women (and humans generally).

The researchers looked at changes in estrogen receptors over the stages of menopause, and how those changes are associated with symptoms, including those related to mental health and cognition. One surprising finding was that the number of estrogen receptors increase from perimenopause, to menopause, to post-menopause; they do not decrease as some previously thought.

If you’d like to hear Dr. Mosconi interviewed by Dr. Mary Claire Haver, MD, about this article and the amazing work it represents, including the main findings and what’s next on Dr. Mosconi’s agenda, check out their wonderful YouTube conversation here.