Women's Brain Health Initiative

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Women's Brain Health Initiative

Raising funds for research and education to combat women's brain aging diseases. Because our grey matter, matters.
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Women’s Brain Health Initiative (WBHI) helps protect women’s brain health by focusing its resources on research to combat brain-aging disorders that disproportionately affect women, and by creating compelling preventative health education programs, grounded in science, so there is a greater understanding by the public of the best ways to prolong their cognitive vitality. Our Six Pillars of Brain Health are the most important lifestyle choices that protect your brain health as you age.

03/28/2026

Women’s brain health is shaped long before symptoms appear. From menarche to menopause, hormonal changes affect memory, mood, and cognition, yet these shifts are often misunderstood.

Menopause-related cognitive symptoms like brain fog are frequently misdiagnosed, delaying care and missing critical windows for dementia prevention.

At the same time, chronic stress from unmanaged health conditions accelerates cognitive decline, while real impacts on focus and productivity are dismissed. Despite this, only 1% of research funding targets female-specific conditions, leaving major gaps in understanding women’s brain health.

The result is a system where women’s brains are at risk, long before anyone is paying attention.

It’s time to stop overlooking women’s brain health.

Demand better research. Better care. Better outcomes.

Join us. Invest in women’s brain health.

03/26/2026

Perimenopause is a gradual transition, often starting in your 40s, and many women don’t recognize the signs at first.

Common symptoms include brain fog, forgetfulness, and difficulty concentrating as fluctuating hormones affect cognitive function.
Sleep disruptions are frequent, leading to fatigue and irritability. Mood changes, including anxiety or low mood, can appear unexpectedly.

You may also experience hot flashes, night sweats, and irregular periods, along with physical symptoms like headaches, joint aches, and low energy.

Perimenopause is not just a reproductive shift; it’s a brain transition.

As Carolyn Taylor so powerfully reminds us, these changes are real, shared, and part of a larger story so many women are navigating.

The good news: lifestyle choices like prioritizing sleep, managing stress, staying active, and seeking guidance can help you navigate this phase and protect your long-term brain health.

Comment *REPLAY* to access more highlights from Carolyn Taylor’s “Laughing Matters” session and other unforgettable moments from the Women’s Brain Health Summit.

03/24/2026

There are specific hormones - estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, thyroid, cortisol, vasopressin, melatonin - that have a substantial effect on brain health.

Because of the interconnectivity of these hormones, deficiencies and imbalances can result in brain-related symptoms such as poor concentration, forgetfulness, confusion, lack of clarity, and even memory loss. If not properly addressed, these symptoms can have both short-term and long-term effects.

There are lifestyle choices you can make to improve your hormone imbalance.

1. Prioritize quality sleep  Aim for 7–9 hours of consistent sleep. Hormones that regulate stress, appetite, and brain repair reset during sleep.

2. Stay physically active 🚶‍♀️ Regular exercise helps regulate hormones such as insulin, cortisol, and estrogen, while also supporting memory and mood.

3. Eat a balanced, nutrient-rich diet  Focus on whole foods like vegetables, fruit, healthy fats, lean protein, and fibre. Stable blood sugar helps keep hormones more balanced.

4. Manage stress  Chronic stress raises cortisol, which can disrupt other hormones and affect memory and focus. Practices like mindfulness, breathing exercises, or time outdoors can help.

5. Maintain strong social connections  Social engagement supports mental well-being and can help buffer stress hormones.

6. Limit alcohol and ultra-processed foods Both can interfere with hormone regulation and sleep quality.

7. Talk to your healthcare provider If symptoms persist, a doctor can check hormone levels (such as thyroid or estrogen) and discuss appropriate treatments.

These habits support both hormone health and long-term brain health. 🧠

03/21/2026

In Mind Over Matter®, we share the story of Lee Steel, who spent years advocating for her son after his diagnosis with autism and learning difficulties. Like many caregivers, she pushed aside her own fears, exhaustion, and stress while focusing on ensuring her child received the support he needed

But caregiving without support comes at a cost. Many caregivers experience declining health, emotional strain, and isolation.

Programs like Caring for the Caregiver Acceptance and Commitment Training (CC-ACT) are helping to change that. This evidence-based program equips caregivers with tools to manage difficult thoughts and emotions, build resilience, and practice self-compassion while continuing to care for their loved ones.

Because when caregivers are supported, families are stronger.

No caregiver should be left behind.

Comment *MOM* and we’ll send you the link to read the full article and access to our free caregiving resources.

03/19/2026

After supporting her mother through Alzheimer’s disease, Oscar®-winning actor Marcia Gay Harden speaks openly about the love, dignity, and resilience required when caring for someone with dementia.

Her experience is a powerful reminder that behind every diagnosis is a family navigating the journey together and that compassion and understanding matter every step of the way. 🧠💜

03/17/2026

To protect your brain health, eat the rainbow, but don’t forget the power of purple.

The deep purple colour in berries comes from anthocyanins, plant compounds linked to better cognitive function.

Research suggests diets rich in these foods may help support brain health as we age.

Source: 2025, Geroscience

03/14/2026

Researchers at the University of California San Diego found that a simple blood test may identify women at higher risk of dementia up to 25 years before symptoms appear.

Key points:
* The test measures levels of p-tau217, a blood biomarker linked to the brain changes seen in Alzheimer’s disease.  
* The study analyzed blood samples from 2,766 cognitively healthy women aged 65–79 who participated in the Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study and then followed them for up to 25 years.  
* Women with higher p-tau217 levels at the start of the study were significantly more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment or dementia later in life.  
* Risk increased as biomarker levels rose, meaning the test could help identify those at the highest risk decades before symptoms begin.  
* Researchers believe this type of blood-based biomarker could enable earlier monitoring, more targeted prevention strategies, and more targeted clinical trials, long before memory problems appear.  
Important caveat: The test is still in the research stage. More studies are needed before it can be used routinely in clinical practice.

Bottom line: A blood test measuring the biomarker p-tau217 could eventually allow doctors to detect dementia risk in women decades before symptoms, potentially shifting care toward early prevention rather than late diagnosis.

Earlier insight could mean earlier action to protect brain health.

The study was published in JAMA Network.

03/12/2026

Mar 12

What we eat plays a powerful role in how our brains age.

Certain nutrients support the structure of brain cells, protect against oxidative stress, and help regulate processes linked to memory, focus, and long-term cognitive health.

As we age, paying attention to key nutrients becomes even more important.
Here are 7 nutrients that support brain health over time: • Omega-3 fatty acids • B vitamins • Vitamin D • Magnesium • Antioxidants • Choline • Polyphenols

You don’t need a perfect diet. What matters most is consistently choosing foods that nourish your brain. Nutrition is one of the Six Pillars of Brain Health.

Small choices made every day can support cognitive vitality for years to come.

Comment *RECIPES* and we’ll send you access to 600+ superfood recipes designed to support cognitive health.

03/10/2026

70% of unpaid caregivers are women. But we rarely talk about the cost to their own health.

Caregiving can be deeply meaningful, but it often comes with chronic stress, sleep disruption, social isolation, and postponed self-care. Over time, these pressures can take a real toll on brain health.

At Women’s Brain Health Initiative, we believe supporting caregivers is essential to protecting cognitive health across generations. When women care for everyone else, we must also ensure they have the knowledge, resources, and support to care for themselves.

Caregiving should never mean sacrificing your own well-being.

Comment *CARE* to gain access to our free resources for caregivers.

03/08/2026

It’s International Women’s Day!  S*x and gender bias have existed in Alzheimer’s research for years. The Women’s Brain Health Initiative (WBHI) funds programs that help correct this imbalance and improve women’s lives. Getting more women and girls into science is part of that.   “It’s no longer sufficient to do a clinical trial and not control for s*x.” ~Dr. Gillian Einstein, professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto  One thing everyone can do to lower their dementia risk? Practice healthy lifestyle habits.   BrainFit - Habit Tracker can help you.  Set your goals, get reminders, and track your progress. It’s free, evidence-backed, and 100% confidential.  📲 Comment *BRAIN* and we’ll send you the link to download for iPhone and Android.  P.S. To read more about inclusive dementia studies, go to the Explore area of the BrainFit app and search for the article: “Toward Inclusive Dementia Studies: Recent Advances in Addressing S*x & Diversity Gaps”

03/07/2026

Wall Pilates, a beginner-friendly version of traditional Pilates that uses a wall for support, has gained popularity for its accessibility and reported physical results. While research has focused on traditional Pilates rather than specifically on wall Pilates, evidence suggests meaningful benefits.

Studies show Pilates can improve strength, flexibility, balance, sleep quality, and body composition, while reducing pain. It is also associated with psychological benefits such as reduced depression and anxiety, improved quality of life, and better sleep. Emerging research further suggests cognitive benefits, including improvements in executive function and verbal fluency in older women.

Although more high-quality research is needed, Pilates is considered a safe, low-impact form of exercise suitable for all ages. Practicing twice weekly for about 12 weeks appears sufficient to achieve physical, psychological, and cognitive benefits.

Comment *MOM* and we’ll send you the link to read the full article.

03/05/2026

At the recent Women’s Brain Health Summit, generously presented by RBC Wealth Management, Geena Davis shared that unconscious gender bias is hard to eliminate because we don’t see it.

Even when we believe in equality, hidden assumptions can also shape:�• Who gets funding�• Whose symptoms are taken seriously�• Who is represented in research�• Who is seen as a leader

For decades, medical and brain research often relied primarily on male study participants. As a result, s*x and gender differences in brain aging, Alzheimer’s disease risk, depression, and stress-related cognitive decline were underexplored.

Today, we know:�Women represent nearly 70% of those living with Alzheimer’s disease.�Hormonal transitions, caregiving stress, cardiovascular risk, and social factors uniquely affect women’s cognitive health.
Yet unconscious bias can still influence research design, funding priorities, and public awareness.

What’s the solution?
Awareness. Measurement. Intentional action.
At Women’s Brain Health Initiative, we advocate for ensuring that s*x and gender are not afterthoughts in research but are integrated from the outset. Because when bias becomes visible, it becomes correctable.

Brain health is not one-size-fits-all.�Understanding differences saves time, resources, and lives.

Comment *REPLAY* and we’ll send you the link for access to recorded sessions, event highlights, and key takeaways frok the Summit.

Address

30 St. Clair Avenue W, Suite 900
Toronto, ON
M4V3A1

Website

http://wbhi.org/, http://twitter.com/womensbrains

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