October 15, 2025, by PRNewswire and published by Science Translational Medicine
LOS ANGELES, CA — Women are twice as likely as men to develop Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis (MS), and many experience “brain fog” during menopause. A new study led by Rhonda Voskuhl, MD, Professor of Neurology at UCLA, may finally explain why—and point to new ways to protect women’s brains.
In research published in Science Translational Medicine, Dr. Voskuhl’s team discovered that a gene found on the X chromosome, called Kdm6a, makes the brain more prone to inflammation. Because women have two X chromosomes, this gene can be more active in women than in men—leading to a “double dose” of inflammation that contributes to conditions like Alzheimer’s, MS, and cognitive problems during menopause.
To test this, the UCLA team turned off the gene in brain cells called glial cells—cells that play a key role in brain health and disease. The result: less brain inflammation and fewer MS-like symptoms in animal models.
Dr. Voskuhl’s research also highlights how estrogen helps keep this inflammation under control. When estrogen levels drop during menopause, the protective effect fades, then women become more vulnerable to brain inflammation, memory issues, and neurodegenerative diseases.
“This research shows, for the first time, a genetic reason why women are more vulnerable to brain diseases,” said Dr. Voskuhl. “It opens the door to treatments designed specifically for women’s brains at different stages of life.”
The findings support the development of targeted estrogen-based therapies, such as PearlPAK®, that act directly on the brain to reduce inflammation and preserve memory and thinking.
This groundbreaking work could transform care for millions of women by helping protect their brains through menopause and beyond.
Link to full study here.
For media inquiries or to schedule an interview with Dr. Voskuhl, please contact: marketing@cleopatrarx.com
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About Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl: Professor of Neurology at UCLA, Dr. Voskuhl holds the Jack Skirball Chair, is Director of the UCLA MS program, faculty at the UCLA Brain Research Institute, and serves as a neurologist for the UCLA Comprehensive Menopause Care program. With over 200 publications, including work in prestigious journals like Nature and Lancet Neurology, she conducts pre-clinical and clinical research to find treatments to prevent neurodegeneration. Her work on estrogen loss and cognition during menopause originated from extensive research on cognitive function in women with multiple sclerosis.
About CleopatraRX™: CleopatraRX™ is a women’s health company dedicated to improving brain health during menopause through targeted hormone replacement therapy. Its patented PearlPAK® treatment is the only menopause treatment designed to target cognition. With a personalized approach and integrated telehealth delivery, CleopatraRX is reshaping how women manage cognitive symptoms during midlife and beyond.