Increased Risk of Memory Problems in Postmenopausal Women Could be Linked to Blood

Postmenopausal women may be at an increased risk for areas of brain damage, leading to memory problems and possibly increased risk of stroke, because of the way their blood clots. Research from Mayo Clinic shows that the tendency of the blood to clot may contribute to areas of brain damage called white matter hyperintensities. Neuroradiologist and study author Kejal Kantarci, M.D., says, “This study suggests that the tendency of the blood to clot may contribute to a cascade of events leading to the development of brain damage in women who have recently gone through menopause. Preventing the platelets from developing these microvesicles could be a way to stop the progression of white matter hyperintensities in the brain.”

The findings will be published in the Feb. 13 online issue of Neurology.

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