In this enlightening episode with Dr. Keqiang Ye, we journey into the fascinating connection between Alzheimer's disease and rising levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the body, particularly during the menopausal transition. With alarming evidence suggesting an accelerated cognitive decline in older women, Dr. Ye reveals groundbreaking research that shows FSH’s direct influence on neurons, contributing to the development of Alzheimer’s. Interestingly, blocking FSH’s action shows not only potential in treating Alzheimer’s but also other conditions like obesity, osteoporosis, and dyslipidaemia. As we move away from traditional beliefs about pituitary glycoproteins and acknowledge their broader influences on our system, the episode sheds light on exciting possibilities for innovative treatments targeting multiple conditions simultaneously.

Keywords:

Alzheimer’s disease

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Menopausal transition

Cognitive decline

Neuronal C/EBPβ–δ-secretase pathway

Osteoporosis

Obesity

Dyslipidaemia

Treatment

Pituitary glycoproteins

Bone mass

FSH-blocking agent.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-04463-0