Development of a Personalized, Psychosocial Intervention for Menopausal Individuals With Elevated Dementia Risk

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · May 1, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring a new program designed to help middle-aged women who are going through menopause and have a higher risk of developing dementia. The trial aims to understand the fears that these women may have about dementia, especially during this transitional time in their lives, and to create a supportive intervention that helps them cope better. The program will focus on various aspects of health that are important for women in midlife, including both physical and emotional well-being.

To participate in this trial, you must be a woman aged 40 to 58 who is experiencing late perimenopause or early post-menopause and has a family history of dementia, such as a parent or sibling with Alzheimer's disease. Participants will take part in focus groups to share their experiences and fears, help design the intervention, and then test its effectiveness over a three-week period. This project hopes to provide valuable tools and knowledge to help women manage their concerns about dementia and improve their quality of life during menopause.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Female sex at birth
• • Aged between 40-58 years
• • Late perimenopause or early post-menopause
• • Elevated dementia risk characterized by first degree relative with diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or another dementia
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer's or another dementia
• • Diagnosis of other chronic illness or condition that affects cognition (e.g., Axis I psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia or mood disorders, neurological disorders such as stroke, cancer, traumatic brain injury)
• • Inadequate vision or hearing to engage with intervention materials
• • Unable or unwilling to provide informed consent
• • Iatrogenic menopause (i.e., due to surgery)