The influence of reproductive stage on cerebellar network connectivity across adulthood

Abstract

Sex-specific differences in the aging cerebellum may be related to hormone changes with menopause. We evaluated the influence of reproductive stage on lobular cerebellar network connectivity using data from the Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience repository. We used raw structural and resting state neuroimaging data and information regarding age, sex, and menopause-related variables. Crus I and II and Lobules V and VI were our cerebellar seeds of interest. We characterized reproductive stage using the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop criteria. Results show that postmenopausal females have lower cerebello-striatal and cerebello-cortical connectivity, particularly in frontal regions, along with lower connectivity within the cerebellum, compared to reproductive females. Postmenopausal females also exhibit greater connectivity in some brain areas as well. Differences begin to emerge across transitional stages of menopause. Further, results reveal sex-specific differences in connectivity between female reproductive groups and age-matched male control groups. This suggests that menopause may influence cerebellar network connectivity in aging females, and sex differences in the aging brain may be related to this biological process. HighlightsO_LILobular analysis of cerebellar network connectivity across reproductive stages C_LIO_LIPostmenopausal females show lower cerebellar connectivity, compared to reproductive C_LIO_LIConnectivity differences begin to emerge in transitional stages of menopause C_LIO_LIAge-matched male control groups show distinct patterns of cerebellar connectivity C_LIO_LIReproductive stage influences cerebellar network connectivity in aging females C_LI