A new study from UCSF has found that menopause accelerates the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) in women. The research, which followed 184 women over an average of 13 years, reveals that walking speed and fine motor skills decline after menopause. Additionally, cognitive ability is also affected.
The study highlights the potential benefits of estrogen therapy in slowing MS progression, particularly for the 30-40% of patients who are perimenopausal or postmenopausal. Hormonal changes during puberty can trigger autoimmune diseases like MS, and women account for 75% of MS patients.
Researchers used a more comprehensive tool to measure walking speed, dexterity, and cognitive ability, and found that menopause led to increased degeneration of nerve cells, as indicated by the biomarker neurofilament light chain (NfL). The study’s findings suggest that menopause is a unique factor in MS progression, even when considering the effects of aging.
However, more research is needed to determine the true effects of hormone therapy on MS. The researchers emphasize the need for large, randomized trials to compare hormone treatment with a placebo before any conclusions can be drawn about its benefits.
Source: https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2024/12/429271/women-ms-mobility-takes-step-backward-menopause