Sex steroid hormones and neurotrophic factors, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), play a significant neuroprotective role in memory circuitry aging. Here, we present findings characterizing the neuroprotective effects of BDNF on memory performance, as a function of sex and reproductive status in women. Participants (N = 191; mean age = 50.03 ± 2.10) underwent clinical and cognitive testing, fMRI scanning, and hormonal assessments of menopausal staging. Memory performance was assessed with the 6-Trial Selective Reminding Test and the Face-Name Associative Memory Exam. Participants also performed a working memory (WM) N-back task during fMRI scanning. Results revealed significant interactions between menopausal status and BDNF levels. Only in postmenopausal women, lower plasma BDNF levels were associated with significantly worse memory performance and altered function in the WM circuitry. BDNF had no significant impact on memory performance or WM function in pre/perimenopausal women or men. These results suggest that in postmenopausal women, BDNF is associated with memory performance and memory circuitry function, thus providing evidence of potential sex-dependent factors of risk and resilience for early intervention.

中文翻译：

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BDNF 和性别对中年早期保持完整记忆功能的影响

性类固醇激素和神经营养因子，如脑源性神经营养因子 (BDNF)，在记忆回路老化中发挥重要的神经保护作用。在这里，我们提出了表征 BDNF 对记忆表现的神经保护作用的研究结果，作为女性性别和生殖状态的函数。参与者（N = 191；平均年龄 = 50.03 ± 2.10）接受了临床和认知测试、fMRI 扫描以及更年期分期的激素评估。记忆表现通过 6 次试验选择性提醒测试和面孔名称联想记忆考试进行评估。参与者还在 fMRI 扫描期间执行了工作记忆 (WM) N-back 任务。结果显示更年期状态和 BDNF 水平之间存在显着的相互作用。仅在绝经后妇女中，较低的血浆 BDNF 水平与显着更差的记忆性能和 WM 电路的功能改变有关。BDNF 对绝经前/围绝经期女性或男性的记忆表现或 WM 功能没有显着影响。这些结果表明，在绝经后妇女中，BDNF 与记忆表现和记忆回路功能有关，从而为早期干预的风险和恢复力的潜在性别依赖性因素提供了证据。