Cognitive function effects of suppressing ovarian hormones in young women.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the effect of a pharmacologically induced, temporary suppression of ovarian hormones on healthy young women's cognitive functioning.

DESIGN:
Sixteen healthy women with normal menstrual cycles completed the California Verbal Learning Test, a digit span test, and a verbal fluency test in the follicular phase of a normal menstrual cycle and a second time after four monthly injections of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist. Women were randomly assigned to complete a third testing either after resuming cycles in the follicular phase or after three more injections of the GnRH agonist and while wearing an estradiol patch. The control group consisted of 10 women who were tested three times in the follicular phase of their menstrual cycles.

RESULTS:
Results showed no change in cognitive functioning across sessions or groups in women with suppressed ovarian function. Women who had the highest levels of menopausal symptoms when taking the GnRH agonist did not have significantly lower cognitive functioning.

CONCLUSIONS:
This study did not find any effect of suppression in ovarian hormones on cognitive performance of young women.

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Author information

Author/s: Owens, Jane F (JF); Matthews, Karen A (KA); Everson, Susan A (SA);

Affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA. owensjf(-atsign-)msx.upmc.edu

Grants: HL07011 (Agency:NHLBI NIH HHS) ; HL38712 (Agency:NHLBI NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Clinical Trial; Comparative Study; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: Menopause (New York, N.Y.) (Menopause), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2002 Jul-Aug; vol 9 (issue 4) : pp 227-35

Dates: Created 2002/06/25; Completed 2002/09/17; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 12082358, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

Comments and Corrections

CommentIn: Menopause. 2002 Jul-Aug;9(4):221-3. (PMID: 12082356)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Analysis of Variance
Cognition - drug effects
Delayed-Action Preparations - administration & dosage
Estradiol - administration & dosage
Female
Follicle Stimulating Hormone - blood
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone - antagonists & inhibitors

Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone - antagonists & inhibitors
Humans
Intelligence Tests
Luteinizing Hormone - blood
Menstrual Cycle - drug effects; physiology
Probability
Reference Values
Sensitivity and Specificity

Associated Chemicals: Delayed-Action Preparations (0) ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (33515-09-2) ; Estradiol (50-28-2) ; Luteinizing Hormone (9002-67-9) ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone (9002-68-0)

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