CEHP Seminar - Prof. Aimee Spector

Abstract: ‘Menopause transition’, the time between menstrual changes and a year after the final menstrual period, is known to present multiple challenges. Around 80% of women struggle with ‘brain-fog’ a term describing cognitive changes most commonly including memory problems. For some, this can continue for many years, be strongly related to physical and psychological symptoms (including anxiety and depression) and cause significant distress. With evidence that as many as one in ten women leave the workplace during this time, there are strong anecdotal links between cognitive challenges, mental health and ability to work.

This talk will present a biopsychosocial-cultural perspective of the menopause transition, a relatively new research field. It will outline the research evidence for cognitive changes and potential links to other mental health conditions. It will also discuss ideas around clinical management.

Aimee Spector is a Professor of Clinical Psychology of Ageing at University College London, director of the Menopause Mind Lab, and director of the International Cognitive Stimulation Therapy Centre.

Her research focuses on the development and evaluation of psychosocial interventions and outcome measures; and exploration of biopsychosocial-cultural factors in Ageing. She directs the UCL ‘Menopause Mind Lab’, a team of researchers and clinicians dedicated to understand more about the impact of menopause and peri-menopause on both cognition and wellbeing. They are interested in the impact of multiple psychological, social and cultural factors as well as the biological changes experienced during this transition. They aim to develop and evaluate interventions to improve cognition, mood and overall quality of life.

She developed and evaluated a novel treatment for dementia called Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST), which is now recommended by UK government guidelines (NICE, 2018) and is the primary psychosocial intervention offered by UK memory clinics. She has conducted global trials of intervention research for dementia.