Acute: Acute vs. Chronic Estrogen Modulation Effects on Cholinergic Function in Normal Post-Menopausal Women

Studies have suggested that changes that occur in mental abilities as we age may be a result of chemical changes that occur in the brain. The loss of estrogen that occurs after menopause in women may accelerate this change. This study is designed to test whether changes in the system in the brain that uses the naturally occurring chemical acetylcholine may be affected by giving the hormone estrogen. This study involves administering estrogen and then giving medications that temporarily affect the ability to perform certain mental and performance tasks. In this way, we hope to see if estrogen administration changes the negative effects of these medications and therefore may act to alter the effects of aging on brain functioning. Specifically, this study will test whether the beneficial effects of estrogen on cholinergic function is evident after single doses compared to continuous administration of estrogen.

Please call Julie Dumas, Ph. D. at 802-847-2523 for more information.

Cognitive Complaints: The Relationship Between the Effects of Estrogen on Sensitivity to Cholinergic Blockade, Cognitive Symptomatology, and Brain Morphology in Younger Post-Menopausal Women

Studies have suggested that changes that occur in mental abilities as we age may be a result of chemical changes that occur in the brain. The loss of estrogen that occurs after menopause in women may accelerate this change. We have found in years of our research that some women report this change in memory with menopause, while others do not report this change. This study is designed to test whether changes in the system in the brain that uses the naturally-occurring chemical acetylcholine may be affected by giving the hormone estrogen, both in women who notice memory changes those who do not. We are also interested in looking at the structures of the brain utilizing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) before and after estrogen treatment. An fMRI creates a special three-dimensional picture of the brain using magnetic waves.

This study involves administering estrogen and then giving medications that temporarily affect the ability to perform certain mental and performance tasks. In this way, we hope to see if estrogen administration changes or blunts the negative effects of these medications and therefore may act to decrease the effects of aging on brain functioning.

Please call Julie Dumas, Ph. D. at 802-847-2523 for more information.

The Effects of Estradiol Administration on Emotional Responses and Brain Activation to Emotional Stimuli in Older Women: a Pilot Study

Some studies have suggested that estrogen administration in postmenopausal women may alter mood after exposure to psychosocial stress or emotional stimuli. This study will investigate the effects of estrogen on emotion and associated brain activity. This involves administering estrogen and then detecting areas of brain activation during an emotional arousal test using a technique called functional magnetic resonance imaging (or fMRI which is a brain scan described below). This will help us determine if estrogen administration changes the way you respond to emotional stimuli both subjectively and at the level of the brain. Approximately 20 women will participate in this study.

Please call Julie Dumas, Ph. D. at 802-847-2523 for more information.