Approved Research

Functional connectivity post stroke: Does menopausal status matter?

Lay summary

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. A stroke occurs when the blood flow in the brain is interrupted, either by blocking or rupturing a blood vessel. The result of a stroke varies greatly and can include significant limitations to motor, sensory, cognitive, and communication abilities.

Menopause is a natural phase in women's lives, marking the end of the reproductive period. During the years of the menopausal transition, their bodies undergo through multiple changes, many of which are related to changes in sex hormones. Following menopause women are more vulnerable to some diseases, and the risk of stroke increases. However, very little is known about how these changes affect brain reorganization after a stroke.

Resting-state magnetic reasoning imaging (MRI) is an imaging method that provides a full picture of brain activity during rest. It investigates which areas of the brain are active together, and so they are called 'functionally connected'. Using resting-state MRI, we will investigate the differences in the re-organization of the brain between women that had a stroke prior to menopause, and those that had a stroke following menopause. We will also compare brain organization before and after menopause among women who have never had a stroke. Finally, we will estimate the effect of a specific female sex hormone called estrogen on brain organization.

This study will be the first to answer these questions. The results of this study will contribute to our understanding of the unique factors that impact women's health and recovery after stroke. As women are often underrepresented in stroke research, this study will help to close the gap in our current knowledge.