Brain health and episodic memory function at midlife: Exploring the effects of sex differences and menopause status

Annalise LaPlume; Rikki Lissaman; Julia Kearley; Natasha Rajah

doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-820480-1.00179-0

Brain health and episodic memory function at midlife: Exploring the effects of sex differences and menopause status

Annalise LaPlume
, Rikki Lissaman
, Julia Kearley
, Natasha Rajah

Department of Psychology

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Abstract

We review research on episodic memory and its neural correlates in the middle decades of life. Emerging findings suggest episodic memory and its underlying neural correlates may show a non-linear lifespan trajectory of accelerated decline starting at midlife. One potential mechanism for this decline at midlife is the menopausal transition in females with ovaries, which has wide-ranging effects on cognition and the brain. Such sex-specific effects highlight the importance of examining sex differences in midlife cognition, brain structure, and brain function. Findings reveal that midlife, although understudied, is a critical period in lifespan cognitive and brain health.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Encyclopedia of the Human Brain
Editors	Jordan Grafman
Publisher	Elsevier
Pages	95-112
Number of pages	18
Volume	4
Edition	2nd
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-820480-1.00179-0
Publication status	Published - 2025

Access to Document

10.1016/B978-0-12-820480-1.00179-0

Cite this

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abstract = "We review research on episodic memory and its neural correlates in the middle decades of life. Emerging findings suggest episodic memory and its underlying neural correlates may show a non-linear lifespan trajectory of accelerated decline starting at midlife. One potential mechanism for this decline at midlife is the menopausal transition in females with ovaries, which has wide-ranging effects on cognition and the brain. Such sex-specific effects highlight the importance of examining sex differences in midlife cognition, brain structure, and brain function. Findings reveal that midlife, although understudied, is a critical period in lifespan cognitive and brain health.",

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AB - We review research on episodic memory and its neural correlates in the middle decades of life. Emerging findings suggest episodic memory and its underlying neural correlates may show a non-linear lifespan trajectory of accelerated decline starting at midlife. One potential mechanism for this decline at midlife is the menopausal transition in females with ovaries, which has wide-ranging effects on cognition and the brain. Such sex-specific effects highlight the importance of examining sex differences in midlife cognition, brain structure, and brain function. Findings reveal that midlife, although understudied, is a critical period in lifespan cognitive and brain health.

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