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Estrogen and cognitive functioning in women: lessons we have learned
1Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 1B1. barbara.sherwin@mcgill.ca
Behavioral Neuroscience
|October 19, 2011
Summary
Estrogen therapy (ET) may protect verbal memory if started soon after menopause, but not decades later. This supports a "window of opportunity" for ET
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Estrogen significantly influences cognitive functions, particularly verbal memory, throughout a woman's life.
- Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and postpartum impact cognitive performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between estrogen and cognitive function across the female lifespan.
- To evaluate the efficacy of estrogen therapy (ET) in preventing cognitive decline.
Main Methods:
- Review of extant research findings on estrogen and cognition.
- Analysis of studies involving estrogen therapy administration at different menopausal stages.
Main Results:
- Verbal memory performance correlates with ovarian hormone levels.
- ET initiated immediately after oophorectomy preserves verbal memory.
- Evidence for long-term cognitive protection from ET initiated years after menopause is lacking.
Conclusions:
- Estrogen therapy is most effective for neuroprotection when initiated within a "window of opportunity" close to menopause.
- Initiating ET decades after menopause does not appear to prevent cognitive decline or dementia.
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