Pregnancy, breastfeeding associated with higher levels of cognitive function for postmenopausal women

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Female brains have historically evolved to adapt to pregnancy, undergoing structural and functional changes. But the cognitive health implications of these adaptations have long been overlooked—until now. A study led by UCLA anthropology professor Molly Fox has found that pregnancy and breastfeeding are linked with stronger long-term cognitive ability in postmenopausal women.

Published this month in Alzheimer's & Dementia, the study found that an increase in cumulative time spent pregnant and time spent breastfeeding correlated with greater cognition, verbal memory and visual memory later in life.

Researchers used data from the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study and the Women's Health Initiative Study of Cognitive Aging, which annually assessed more than 7,000 women aged about 70 for up to 13 years.