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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
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An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause
Published on: August 13, 2019
Endogenous estrogen is not associated with cognitive performance before, during, or after menopause
Agneta Herlitz1, Petra Thilers, Reza Habib
1Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. Agneta.Herlitz@ki.se
Menopause (New York, N.Y.)
|February 7, 2007
Summary
Menopausal status and estrogen levels do not impact cognitive function in middle-aged women. This study found no significant differences in memory or other cognitive skills across menopausal stages.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Psychology
Background:
- Menopause is associated with hormonal changes, particularly estrogen decline.
- Estrogen is known to play a role in various brain functions.
- The impact of menopausal status and estrogen levels on cognitive performance in middle-aged women requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cognitive differences between premenopausal, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal women.
- To evaluate the relationship between blood estrogen levels and cognitive performance in middle-aged women.
Main Methods:
- A population-based sample of women aged 45, 50, and 55 years was recruited.
- Cognitive performance was assessed using tasks measuring episodic memory, semantic memory, verbal fluency, visuospatial skills, and face recognition.
- Blood serum was collected for concurrent analysis of estrogen levels.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in cognitive performance were observed among premenopausal, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal groups after controlling for age and education.
- No significant associations were found between blood estrogen levels and cognitive performance in the studied women.
Conclusions:
- The findings do not support the hypothesis that estrogen levels or menopausal status influence cognitive performance in middle-aged women.
- Further research may be needed to explore other potential factors affecting cognition during this life stage.
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