Following the Clues of Hormone Loss

With Researcher Sophia Zhao.

Sophia Zhao’s path to the Einstein Lab was less direct than others. Her university studies started with biomedical engineering before she developed an interest in the biological and physiological aspects of the brain. She switched to a double major in psychology and physiology, and while an undergrad, started volunteering at the Einstein Lab. That is where she was hooked.

“I got really drawn into the research that (Dr. Gillian Einstein) was doing and decided to continue with her for grad school,” Ms. Zhao told Mind Over Matter®. “I’m interested in the interaction between the physiological and the psychology aspect, looking at how biological aspects are related to memory.”

As with most other projects at the lab, she is focused on the experience of women who had their ovaries removed because they have a genetic mutation called BRCA that elevates their risk of cancer. The procedure leads to a loss of the ovarian hormone estradiol, which is linked to a decline in memory and an elevated risk of dementia later in life.

Ms. Zhao is exploring a related aspect of the hormone loss – whether the immune system changes and affects the brain. Estradiol has been shown to have regulatory effects on the immune system. Without estradiol, it can become dysregulated, which subsequently leads to inflammation in the body; inflammation has been linked with cognitive decline.

I’m interested in whether this estradiol loss is acting indirectly through the immune system on the brain. Perhaps estradiol loss is increasing inflammation, and that inflammation is causing reduced memory performance.

In her study, she is working with women in their 40s, comparing those who still have their ovaries with those who have had them removed. Her preliminary results show a decrease in verbal memory performance among women without ovaries, similar to what other studies have found. She is also seeing differences in the inflammatory profiles between the two test groups, but more work needs to be done to understand what is happening.

Ms. Zhao notes that studies of the implications of estradiol loss tend to focus on older women. Because she is working with those in their 40s, it eliminates the confounding factor of age.

“Therefore, we can more clearly see the effects of estradiol loss and also see any potential earlier signs of later cognitive decline or later life dementia,” she explained.

“It’s really meaningful to look at the memory changes that we’re seeing and also other underlying mechanisms, either directly in the brain or in other bodily systems that indirectly affect the brain.”

Inflammation is a dysregulation that might be modified by anti-inflammatory treatments that are an option for women who cannot take estradiol therapy.

These kinds of research projects would be impossible without the participation of the people who volunteer to undergo batteries of tests for the cause of expanding our knowledge. Ms. Zhao appreciates the opportunity to meet them.

“They’re a really busy group of women. A lot of them have kids. Some have had past cancer treatments that they’re dealing with,” she said. “We’re so grateful that they can come in because it is quite a long study. They’re here from 10 to 2 if they’re participating in all components, and some of them come from far away. We’re all just very thankful that they can make this research happen because it’s important to study this cohort of women.”

Ms. Zhao is still early in her scientific career and working toward her PhD, with plans to apply for post-doctoral positions. She is happy for the mentorship she has found working under Dr. Einstein.

“She always has a lot of insight into what to do next, and a lot of very important comments that can direct me whenever I’m not sure what to do. I’m really enjoying the research I’m doing now and hope to continue in this field.”

Source: Mind Over Matter V21