Sex-specific Effects of Endocrine Disruption on aging and Alzheimer’s Disease (SEED-AD)

What is the purpose of this study?

This study explores the effect of ovarian hormones on aging, physical health, memory, and risk of Alzheimer's disease and cerebrovascular disease in women. It is believed that loss of hormones associated with removal of both ovaries prior to menopause may place women at higher risk for brain changes associated with Alzheimer's and vascular (blood vessel) diseases. To better understand this risk, we will study factors associated with brain health in women who had their ovaries removed prior to menopause (called premenopausal bilateral oophorectomy, or PBO) as compared to women who have not had PBO. Over 500 participants have been recruited under a prior protocol at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. This phase of the study seeks to ensure that members of communities at greater risk for dementia are represented in the study findings.

Who is a qualifying participant?

• African American women age 60 and over.
• English speaking.
• Women with a history of PBO before age 50.
• Women with no history of PBO are invited to participate in the comparison group.
• Women with hysterectomy are eligible to participate in the comparison group if the ovaries were not removed.
• Women with hysterectomy and PBO are eligible to participate in the PBO group if the hysterectomy was performed at an earlier time, prior to bilateral oophorectomy.

What are we asking of you in this study?

• Six-minute walking evaluation.
• MRI scan to look at the structure of the brain.
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scans to look for evidence of Alzheimer's-related changes in the brain (amyloid and tau).
• Additional measures as collected in the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (click here for details)