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Mini Review Volume 11 Issue 2
The neuropsychological aftermath of reproductive senescence: hormonal transitions, cognitive reserve and affective disorders in aging populations
Mega Obukohwo Oyovwi, Eseroghene Cecilia Adegor, Erezih Oja- alumehe Favour, Olomo Thomus Odomero
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Delta University of Science and Technology, Nigeria
Department of Public Health, National Open University of Nigeria, Nigeria
Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Delta University of Science and Technology, Nigeria
Received: June 28, 2026 | Published: July 13, 2026
Citation: Oyovwi MO, Adegor EC, Oja-alumehe EF, et al. The neuropsychological aftermath of reproductive senescence: hormonal transitions, cognitive reserve and affective disorders in aging populations. MOJ Gerontol Ger. 2026;11(2):39‒41 DOI: 10.15406/mojgg.2026.11.00357
Abstract
Reproductive senescence is a pivotal biological transition that exerts profound and lasting effects on brain health, cognitive reserve, and affective well-being in older adults. The decline of gonadal hormones – oestradiol in women and testosterone in men – triggers neurobiological changes that increase vulnerability to Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment, and late-life depression. Beyond immediate hormonal shifts, reproductive history parameters (parity, age at menarche and menopause, reproductive span) modulate cognitive trajectories through both biological and psychosocial pathways. However, the physiological kinetics of hormonal decline differ drastically between sexes, complicating direct comparisons. This opinion article argues for the routine integration of reproductive health history into neuropsychological assessments and advocates for sex-sensitive public health strategies that address the unique neuropsychological vulnerabilities emerging from reproductive senescence. We propose a novel Reproductive Senescence Neuropsychological Framework (RSNF) to guide future clinical risk stratification.
Keywords: reproductive senescence, cognitive reserve, affective disorders, hormonal transitions, neuropsychology, aging
©2026 Oyovwi, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.