Introdução: Climatério é definido como o período de tempo onde ocorre a mudança de vida reprodutiva para não reprodutiva, com extensão de duração variável. Durante esse período e após o estabelecimento da menopausa, é comum o surgimento de diversos sintomas que expressam o esgotamento dos folículos ovarianos. Dentre os sintomas, o mais comumente relatado pelas mulheres são os sintomas vasomotores ou fogachos. Além da Terapia de Reposição Hormonal (TRH), outras medicações como os Inibidores Seletivos da Recaptação da Serotonina (ISRS) têm sido empregadas na tentativa de melhorá-los. Justificativa: TRH não pode ser aplicado a todas as mulheres com sintomas. As medicações não hormonais, apesar de apresentarem melhores respostas que placebo, ainda demonstram pouco impacto clínico na redução dos sintomas vasomotores. Esta lacuna permite avaliar outras alternativas terapêuticas, como a Estimulação Transcraniana por Corrente Direta (ou tDCS, do inglês transcranial direct current stimulation). O racional para estudar o efeito desta técnica neste contexto, é o seu possível efeito modulatório autonômico. O que reforça a escolha desta técnica é o fato de ter eficácia demonstrada em outras patologias como depressão, dor, doença Parkinson dentre outras. A tDCS é um método de neuromodulação transcraniana não invasivo, que se baseia na aplicação de correntes contínuas de baixa intensidade, através de eletrodos colocados sobre o escalpo, de forma simples e indolor. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito da tDCS (tratamento ativo) comparada ao tDCS-sham (placebo) nos sintomas vasomotores de mulheres na pós- menopausa como objetivo primário; e como objetivo secundário, seus efeitos na qualidade de vida. Método: Ensaio Clínico Randomizado realizado em 30 pacientes pós-menopáusicas com queixa de pelo menos 05 episódios de fogachos/dia. Participantes foram selecionadas no ambulatório de Climatério do Serviço de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre e via chamamento de jornal. Estas foram randomizadas para um dos grupos: tDCS ou placebo-sham. A intervenção consistiu na aplicação de sessões diárias de estimulação com corrente elétrica de 02 mili Ampere, pelo período de 10 dias consecutivos, à exceção dos finais de semana. Por uma semana anterior à intervenção e por 30 dias após, as participantes registravam o número e intensidade dos fogachos ao dia. Responderam ao Women´s Health Questionaire (WHQ) antes e ao termino da intervenção. Resultados: A média de fogachos/dia se comportou de forma semelhante nos dois grupos havendo uma redução do número de fogachos nas três primeiras semanas após intervenção com retorno ao basal a partir da quarta semana pós-aplicação. No grupo tDCS, se observou uma tendência a uma transferência dos fogachos intensos para leves sugerindo uma melhora clínica. Os resultados, apesar de não apresentarem significância estatística, reforçam a ideia de ampliar a investigação, com maior número de pacientes e com maior tempo de duração além do caráter inovador da pesquisa. / Introduction: Menopause is defined as a period where there is a change from the reproductive stage to a nonreproductive phase, with variable duration. During this period and following the establishment of menopause, there is usually an onset of several symptoms indicating the depletion of ovarian follicles. Among the symptoms, the ones that are more frequently reported by women are vasomotor symptoms or hot flashes. In addition to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), other medications such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) have been employed to treat them. Justification: HRT may not be applied to all women with symptoms. Non-hormonal medications, despite having better responses than placebo, have still shown little clinical impact on the reduction of vasomotor symptoms. This gap allows other therapeutic alternatives to be considered, such as Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). The rationale for studying the effect of this technique in this context is its possible autonomic modulatory effect. What reinforces the choice of this technique is the efficacy which it has demonstrated in other disorders such as depression, pain, Parkinson's disease, among others. tDCS is a non-invasive transcranial neuromodulation method based on the application of continuous low-intensity currents through electrodes placed to the scalp, in a simple and painless way. Goal: To evaluate the effect of tDCS (active treatment) compared to tDCS-sham (placebo) on vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women as a primary endpoint and its effects on quality of life as a secondary endpoint. Method: Randomized Clinical Trial conducted in 30 postmenopausal patients complaining of at least five episodes of hot flashes per day. Participants were selected at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Service Menopause Outpatient Clinic, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre and via a newspaper call. These were randomized to one of the groups: tDCS or placebo-sham. The intervention consisted of daily sessions in which stimulation was applied with an electric current of 02 milliamperes for 10 consecutive days, except on weekends. Participants recorded the number and intensity of hot flashes per day for one week before and for 30 days after the intervention. They answered the Women’s Health Questionnaire (WHQ) before and after the intervention completion. Results: The mean of hot flashes/day behaved in a similar way in both groups, and there was a reduction in hot flashes in the first three weeks following the intervention with a return to baseline starting in the fourth week after the administration. In the tDCS group, a trend towards a conversion of intensive hot flashes into mild ones was noted, which suggested a clinical improvement. The results, despite not showing statistical significance, supported the idea of extending the investigation with a larger number of patients and longer duration, in addition to the innovating nature of the research.

Yang, Chao. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 137-146). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Thesis Committee --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.ii / Contents --- p.iii / Declaration --- p.vii / Abstract --- p.viii / 摘要 --- p.xi / Abbreviations --- p.xiii / Chapter CHAPTER ONE: --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1 --- Occurrence and Structure of Phytosterols in Plants --- p.P.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Biological Effects of Phytosterols / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Cholesterol-lowering Effect of Phytosterols --- p.P.3 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Anti-cancer Effect of Phytosterols --- p.P.5 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Anti-proliferative Effect of Phytosterols --- p.P.5 / Chapter 1.3 --- Intake and Absorption of Phytosterols in Human Beings --- p.P.6 / Chapter 1.4 --- Occurrence and Physiological Levels of Phytosterol Oxidation Products (POPs) / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Occurrence of POPs --- p.P.8 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Physiological Levels of POPs --- p.P.8 / Chapter 1.5 --- Endothelium and the Vascular Tone / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Role of Endothelium in the Control of Vascular Tone --- p.P.11 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- "Endothelial Dysfunction, Cholesterol Oxidation Products (COPs) and Phytosterol Oxidation Products (POPs)" --- p.P.12 / Chapter 1.6 --- Calcium Homeostasis in the Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells (VSMCs) / Chapter 1.6.1 --- Modes of Ca2+ Entry in VSMCs --- p.P.15 / Chapter 1.6.2 --- Modes of Ca2+ Efflux in VSMCs --- p.P.18 / Chapter 1.7 --- Objectives of the Study --- p.P.19 / Chapter CHAPTER TWO: --- β-SITOSTEROL OXIDATION PRODUCTS ATTENUATE VASORELAXATION BY INCREASING REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES AND CYCLOOXYGENASE-2 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.P.21 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Preparation of SOPs --- p.P.24 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Gas Chromatography -mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) Identification of SOPs --- p.P.24 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Analysis of SOPs --- p.P.25 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Vessel Preparation --- p.P.25 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Isometric Force Measurement --- p.P.26 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Western Blotting --- p.P.27 / Chapter 2.2.7 --- Primary Culture of Rat Aortic Endothelial Cell --- p.P.28 / Chapter 2.2.8 --- Measurement of SOPs-induced Intracellular Oxidative Stress --- p.P.29 / Chapter 2.2.9 --- Drugs --- p.P.30 / Chapter 2.2.10 --- Data Analysis --- p.P.30 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results / Chapter 2.3.1 --- GC-MS Identification of SOPs --- p.P.32 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Analysis of SOPs --- p.P.34 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- SOPs But Not β-Sitosterol Impaired ACh- and A23187-induced relaxations --- p.P.36 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Inhibition of COX Pathway Reversed SOPs-induced Impairment in Relaxation --- p.P.39 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- SOPs Elevated Endothelial COX-2 Expression --- p.P.42 / Chapter 2.3.6 --- SOPs Increased COX-2 Expression via An Oxidative Stress-sensitive Pathway --- p.P.45 / Chapter 2.4 --- Discussion --- p.P.52 / Chapter 2.5 --- Conclusion --- p.P.56 / Chapter CHAPTER THREE: --- β-SITOSTEROL OXIDATION PRODUCTS POSSESS POTENTIAL VOCC BLOCKING EFFECT IN VSMCs / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction / Chapter 3.1.1 --- 2+ Modes of Ca Entry and Efflux in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells (VSMCs) --- p.P.57 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Effect of Cholesterol and COPs on VSMCs --- p.P.57 / Chapter 3.2 --- Methodology and Materials / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Vessel Preparation --- p.P.59 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Isometric Force Measurement iv --- p.P.59 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Drugs --- p.P.60 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Data Analysis --- p.P.61 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results / Chapter 3.3.1 --- SOPs but not β-Sitosterol Induced Relaxation in 60 mM K+ -preconstricted Endothelium-denuded Aorta --- p.P.62 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Both SOPs and β-Sitosterol did not Relax U46619-preconstricted Endothelium-denuded Aorta --- p.P.64 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Both SOPs and β-Sitosterol did not Relax PDA -preconstricted Endothelium-denuded Aorta --- p.P.66 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- SOPs Attenuated 60 mM K+-induced Contraction --- p.P.68 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- SOPs Attenuated Phenylephrine-induced Contraction --- p.P.70 / Chapter 3.3.6 --- Effect of SOPs on Concentration-dependent Responses to U46619 --- p.P.72 / Chapter 3.3.7 --- Preincubation with Bay K 8644 Abolished SOPs-induced Relaxation in 60 mM K+ -preconstricted Rings --- p.P.74 / Chapter 3.3.8 --- Preincubation with Thapsigargin did not Affect SOPs-induced Relaxation in 60 mM K+ -preconstricted Rings --- p.P.76 / Chapter 3.3.9 --- Preincubation with Ouabain did not Affect SOPs-induced Relaxation in 60 mM K+ -preconstricted Rings --- p.P.78 / Chapter 3.3.10 --- Preincubation with Nickel Potentiated SOPs-induced Relaxation in 60 mM K+ -preconstricted Rings --- p.P.80 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.P.84 / Chapter 3.5 --- Conclusion and Future Work --- p.P.88 / Chapter CHAPTER FOUR: --- INVOLEMENT OF NITRIC OXIDE IN THE PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF PHYTOSTEROLS AGAINST HOMOCYSTEINE-INDUCED IMPAIRMENT OF ENDOTHELIUM-DEPENDENT RELAXATIONS OF RAT AORTA / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.P.89 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and Method / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Vessel Preparation --- p.P.93 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Isometric Force Measurement --- p.P.93 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Western Blotting --- p.P.94 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- "1,1 -diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) Radical Scavenging Capacity" --- p.P.96 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Primary Culture of Rat Aortic Endothelial Cells V --- p.P.96 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- Measurement Intracellular Oxidative Stress --- p.P.97 / Chapter 4.2.7 --- Nitric Oxide (NO) Measurement --- p.P.97 / Chapter 4.2.8 --- Drugs --- p.P.98 / Chapter 4.2.9 --- Data Analysis --- p.P.99 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Impairment of Endothelium-dependent Relaxation by HC was Reversed by ROS Scavenger --- p.P.100 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Brassicasterol Reversed HC-induced Endothelial Dysfunction In a Dose-dependent Manner --- p.P.102 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- β-Sitosterol and Stigmasterol Reversed HC-induced Endothelial Dysfunction --- p.P.104 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Effects of β-Sitosterol Oxidation Products (SOPs) on HC-induced Endothelial Dysfunction --- p.P.106 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- Effects of Brassicasterol and β-Sitosterol on H2O2-induced Impairment of Endothelium-dependent Relaxation --- p.P.108 / Chapter 4.3.6 --- Phytosterols did not Directly Scavenge Free Radicals --- p.P.110 / Chapter 4.3.7 --- "HC and Brassicasterol did not Affect the Expression of SOD-1, SOD-2, eNOS, COX-1 and COX-2 in Aorta" --- p.P.112 / Chapter 4.3.8 --- HC Increased ROS Production in Primary Rat Aortic Endotelial Cells --- p.P.116 / Chapter 4.3.9 --- Brassicasterol did not Reverse the ROS Production by HC treatment In the Endothelial Cells --- p.P.120 / Chapter 4.3.10 --- Effect of L-NAME on Reversing the Effect of Brassicasterol on ACh-induced Relaxation --- p.P.123 / Chapter 4.3.11 --- Brassicasterol Reversed the Inhibitory Effect of HC on ACh-induced NO Production in Endothelial Cells --- p.P.125 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.P.128 / Chapter 4.5 --- Conclusion and Future Work --- p.P.132 / Chapter CHAPTER FIVE: --- CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE WORK --- p.P.134 / Chapter CHAPTER SIX: --- REFERENCES --- p.P.137

Marital quality is linked to health benefits for men and women. Although women have less risk factors than men for cardiovascular disease prior to menopause, their risk increases substantially after menopause. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of marital quality and vasomotor symptoms on cardiovascular risk factors including C-reactive protein (CRP) and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in women before, during, and after the menopausal transition. The final sample consisted of 92 married women between the ages of 40 and 60 years. Hypotheses were tested using hierarchical regression and general linear modeling. Results suggest that greater marital quality reduces the negative effect of a lower level of vasomotor symptoms on cIMT but not CRP. Contrary to hypotheses, marital quality did not predict CRP or cIMT and vasomotor symptoms were not correlated with CRP or cIMT. While analyses did not support an interaction between menopausal status and lower marital quality on vasomotor symptoms or CRP, there was limited support for an interaction between menopausal status and lower marital quality on cIMT (p = .057) suggesting that for postmenopausal women higher marital quality is related to lower levels of cIMT. Overall, findings suggest that it is important to consider the impact of psychosocial aspects of a middle aged woman's life (i.e., marital quality) in conjunction with biological stressors when assessing cardiovascular risks in women during the menopausal transition.

Hot flashes are one of the most bothersome symptoms experienced by women who have undergone breast cancer treatment-induced menopause. This vasomotor symptom has been hypothesized to be responsible for decreased sleep quality. This study further investigated the relationship between hot flashes and sleep quality in this population. The convenience sample consisted of 30 women being seen at an outpatient clinic in a comprehensive cancer center in southwest Florida. All participants were between the ages of 36-65, had a diagnosis of breast cancer and were currently taking a selective estrogen receptor modulator for at least six weeks. The participants completed the Hot Flash Diary, Hot Flash Questionnaire, Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and a demographic form. The mean sleep score of the sample was 9.33 (SD= 4.4). Global sleep scores above five are indicative of poor sleep quality, and global sleep scores of eight or more have been linked to cancer-related fatigue. Sleep was strongly correlated with hot flash distress (r = .754, p. = .000) and hot flash severity (r = .718, p. = .000) and moderately correlated with hot flash interference (r = .507, p. = .004) and hot flash frequency while asleep (r = .680, p. = .000). The small sample size was a study limitation. However, study results do support findings from previous studies. This study addresses a symptom management problem that may give nurses better understanding of the experiences of their patients. These findings also may assist patients in helping their providers to understand the frustration they are experiencing with regard to their decreased sleep quality.

Graduation date: 1993

No description available.

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are abundantly produced in cells that are under stress or injury by acting as a chaperone or promoting folding, unfolding, packing, degradation or denaturing of proteins or peptides. This study evaluated the role of HSP60, HSP70 or HSP90 in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), in experimental endotoxemia in the rat. Adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats maintained by i.v. infusion propofol (25 mg/kg/h) were used. During experimental endotoxemia induced by intravenous administration of E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 30 mg/kg; serotype 0111:B4), the power density of the vasomotor component of systemic arterial pressure (SAP) spectrum underwent a decrease (Phase I), followed by an increase (Phase II; ¡§pro-life¡¨) and a secondary decrease (Phase III; ¡§pro-death¡¨). Western blot analysis revealed that HSP60 expression in the RVLM was significantly increased during Phase II and Phase III endotoxemia; and HSP70 expression was maximally increased during Phase II. HSP90 protein expression in the RVLM was not significantly changed during endotoxemia. We further studied the role of HSP60, HSP70 or HSP90 at the RVLM in experimental endotoxemia by pretreating animals with bilaterally microinjection of an anti-HSP serum (HSPAb, 1:20), normal mouse serum, antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (hsp AODN, 50 pmol), sense oligodeoxynucleotide (hsp SODN) or scrambled AODN (hsp SC). Pretreatment with HSP60Ab or hsp60 AODN resulted in significantly higher mortality, shorter survival time and shorter Phase II duration. In addition, the augmented power density of the vasomotor component of SAP signals during Phase II endotoxemia was significantly reduced. Even more detrimental effects were obtained on local application of HSP70Ab or hsp70 AODN into the RVLM. Pretreatment with HSP90Ab or hsp90 AODN was ineffective. We conclude that the expression of HSP60 and HSP70 in the RVLM may play a ¡§pro-life¡¨ role in fatal experimental endotoxemia; and HSP90 may not be involved.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2008. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Columbia, 1999. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 151-174). Also available on the Internet.

Introdução: Climatério é definido como o período de tempo onde ocorre a mudança de vida reprodutiva para não reprodutiva, com extensão de duração variável. Durante esse período e após o estabelecimento da menopausa, é comum o surgimento de diversos sintomas que expressam o esgotamento dos folículos ovarianos. Dentre os sintomas, o mais comumente relatado pelas mulheres são os sintomas vasomotores ou fogachos. Além da Terapia de Reposição Hormonal (TRH), outras medicações como os Inibidores Seletivos da Recaptação da Serotonina (ISRS) têm sido empregadas na tentativa de melhorá-los. Justificativa: TRH não pode ser aplicado a todas as mulheres com sintomas. As medicações não hormonais, apesar de apresentarem melhores respostas que placebo, ainda demonstram pouco impacto clínico na redução dos sintomas vasomotores. Esta lacuna permite avaliar outras alternativas terapêuticas, como a Estimulação Transcraniana por Corrente Direta (ou tDCS, do inglês transcranial direct current stimulation). O racional para estudar o efeito desta técnica neste contexto, é o seu possível efeito modulatório autonômico. O que reforça a escolha desta técnica é o fato de ter eficácia demonstrada em outras patologias como depressão, dor, doença Parkinson dentre outras. A tDCS é um método de neuromodulação transcraniana não invasivo, que se baseia na aplicação de correntes contínuas de baixa intensidade, através de eletrodos colocados sobre o escalpo, de forma simples e indolor. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito da tDCS (tratamento ativo) comparada ao tDCS-sham (placebo) nos sintomas vasomotores de mulheres na pós- menopausa como objetivo primário; e como objetivo secundário, seus efeitos na qualidade de vida. Método: Ensaio Clínico Randomizado realizado em 30 pacientes pós-menopáusicas com queixa de pelo menos 05 episódios de fogachos/dia. Participantes foram selecionadas no ambulatório de Climatério do Serviço de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre e via chamamento de jornal. Estas foram randomizadas para um dos grupos: tDCS ou placebo-sham. A intervenção consistiu na aplicação de sessões diárias de estimulação com corrente elétrica de 02 mili Ampere, pelo período de 10 dias consecutivos, à exceção dos finais de semana. Por uma semana anterior à intervenção e por 30 dias após, as participantes registravam o número e intensidade dos fogachos ao dia. Responderam ao Women´s Health Questionaire (WHQ) antes e ao termino da intervenção. Resultados: A média de fogachos/dia se comportou de forma semelhante nos dois grupos havendo uma redução do número de fogachos nas três primeiras semanas após intervenção com retorno ao basal a partir da quarta semana pós-aplicação. No grupo tDCS, se observou uma tendência a uma transferência dos fogachos intensos para leves sugerindo uma melhora clínica. Os resultados, apesar de não apresentarem significância estatística, reforçam a ideia de ampliar a investigação, com maior número de pacientes e com maior tempo de duração além do caráter inovador da pesquisa. / Introduction: Menopause is defined as a period where there is a change from the reproductive stage to a nonreproductive phase, with variable duration. During this period and following the establishment of menopause, there is usually an onset of several symptoms indicating the depletion of ovarian follicles. Among the symptoms, the ones that are more frequently reported by women are vasomotor symptoms or hot flashes. In addition to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), other medications such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) have been employed to treat them. Justification: HRT may not be applied to all women with symptoms. Non-hormonal medications, despite having better responses than placebo, have still shown little clinical impact on the reduction of vasomotor symptoms. This gap allows other therapeutic alternatives to be considered, such as Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). The rationale for studying the effect of this technique in this context is its possible autonomic modulatory effect. What reinforces the choice of this technique is the efficacy which it has demonstrated in other disorders such as depression, pain, Parkinson's disease, among others. tDCS is a non-invasive transcranial neuromodulation method based on the application of continuous low-intensity currents through electrodes placed to the scalp, in a simple and painless way. Goal: To evaluate the effect of tDCS (active treatment) compared to tDCS-sham (placebo) on vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women as a primary endpoint and its effects on quality of life as a secondary endpoint. Method: Randomized Clinical Trial conducted in 30 postmenopausal patients complaining of at least five episodes of hot flashes per day. Participants were selected at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Service Menopause Outpatient Clinic, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre and via a newspaper call. These were randomized to one of the groups: tDCS or placebo-sham. The intervention consisted of daily sessions in which stimulation was applied with an electric current of 02 milliamperes for 10 consecutive days, except on weekends. Participants recorded the number and intensity of hot flashes per day for one week before and for 30 days after the intervention. They answered the Women’s Health Questionnaire (WHQ) before and after the intervention completion. Results: The mean of hot flashes/day behaved in a similar way in both groups, and there was a reduction in hot flashes in the first three weeks following the intervention with a return to baseline starting in the fourth week after the administration. In the tDCS group, a trend towards a conversion of intensive hot flashes into mild ones was noted, which suggested a clinical improvement. The results, despite not showing statistical significance, supported the idea of extending the investigation with a larger number of patients and longer duration, in addition to the innovating nature of the research.