Abstract: The timing of reproductive aging events including age at natural menopause (ANM) is associated with a range of impactful health conditions later in life that extend beyond reproductive health to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and overall mortality. ANM is also associated with epigenetic age and may be a useful phenotype to unravel mechanistic insights into aging. Within the ReproGen consortium, we conducted genetic association studies and identified genetic loci for ANM including a common variant in BRCA1, variants in/near genes associated with delayed puberty, and enrichment in genes in the DNA damage response pathway. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) followed by Mendelian randomization analyses to assess causal influences on later life outcomes will further our understanding of how reproductive traits impact the overall health of women.
About Dr. Murabito: Dr. Murabito is Director of the Clinic at the Framingham Heart Study and she is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine. Her research interests include the epidemiology and genetics of longevity, healthy aging, reproductive aging and peripheral artery disease. Dr. Murabito is a member of the Genetics of Longevity Consortium and the ReproGen Consortium.