Hypothesized relationship between covariates and end result measures. Notice that age is corrected for within the exploratory end result, age-adjusted sNfL. sNfL = serum neurofilament gentle chain. Credit score: Neurology (2024). DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000210228
A brand new examine by UC San Francisco has discovered that menopause revs up the development of a number of sclerosis (MS).
The analysis is revealed within the journal Neurology.
The examine raises new questions on whether or not hormone remedy will help the 30% to 40% of MS sufferers who’re perimenopausal or postmenopausal.
Ladies account for 75% of MS sufferers, and hormones play a big position in the midst of the illness.
“We know that hormonal changes during puberty can trigger autoimmune diseases like MS,” stated Riley Bove, MD, an affiliate professor of neurology at UCSF. Bove is the corresponding creator of the examine. “We see a lower rate of relapse during the third trimester of pregnancy, followed by a rebound postpartum.”
The examine adopted 184 girls earlier than and after menopause. It was based mostly on information from two UCSF research, EPIC and ORIGINS, that search to find the causes of MS and the best way it develops. Members have been evaluated annually for a median of 13 years.
Different analysis has reached contradictory conclusions concerning the position of menopause in MS development. Some research used a software known as the Expanded Incapacity Standing Scale (EDSS) that primarily focuses on strolling evaluation.
“The EDSS has a number of limitations and may also measure changes that are not related to MS, such as older age and multiple medication use, both of which can affect mobility,” stated Hannah Silverman, a UCSF medical pupil, who’s the primary creator of the examine.
Declines in strolling velocity, dexterity and cognitive capability
Within the present examine, researchers used the MS Purposeful Composite (MSFC), which captures strolling velocity in addition to different duties. They discovered that following menopause, it took individuals longer to finish a 25-foot-walk after accounting for age, weight and tobacco use. Additionally they discovered extra refined declines in dexterity and cognition.
The researchers discovered {that a} biomarker within the blood known as neurofilament gentle chain (NfL) elevated after menopause. This means elevated degeneration of nerve cells—a trademark of advancing MS—and validates the MSFC findings.
Simply 31 of the 184 individuals (17%) took estrogen remedy, not sufficient for researchers to have the ability to draw conclusions about its advantages. Analysis in animals means that intercourse hormones have neuroprotective results, and one small examine has examined the protecting results of testosterone in males.
“The study shows that menopause represents a unique factor in MS progression, even when we take into consideration the effects of aging,” stated Bove, who can also be a member of the Weill Institute for Neurosciences. “But we would need large, randomized trials that compare hormone treatment to a placebo before we can know the true effects of hormone therapy in a condition as complex as MS.”
Extra info:
Hannah E. Silverman et al, Affiliation of Menopause With Purposeful Outcomes and Illness Biomarkers in Ladies With A number of Sclerosis, Neurology (2024). DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000210228
Offered by
College of California, San Francisco
Quotation:
For ladies with a number of sclerosis, mobility takes step backward at menopause (2025, January 9)
retrieved 10 January 2025
from https://medicalxpress.com/information/2025-01-women-multiple-sclerosis-mobility-menopause.html
This doc is topic to copyright. Other than any honest dealing for the aim of personal examine or analysis, no
half could also be reproduced with out the written permission. The content material is offered for info functions solely.
