New onset executive function difficulties at menopause: a possible role for lisdexamfetamine

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Women's Health

Background:

• Cognitive decline, particularly in executive functions (EFs), is frequently reported by menopausal women.
• Mid-life onset of executive function difficulties is a growing concern in this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of lisdexamfetamine (LDX) in improving subjective and objective cognitive function in menopausal women with executive function complaints.
• To assess the impact of LDX on executive functions and verbal memory in a specific menopausal cohort.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study involving 32 healthy perimenopausal and early postmenopausal women.
• Participants received LDX (40-60 mg/day) for 4 weeks, with executive function assessed via the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Scale (BADDS) and cognitive tasks.
• Exclusion criteria included a history of ADHD to focus on mid-life onset difficulties.

Main Results:

• LDX significantly improved total BADDS scores and four of five subscales compared to placebo (p < 0.0001).
• Significant improvements were observed in delayed paragraph recall (p = 0.018) with LDX.
• While systolic blood pressure and heart rate increased, they remained within normal ranges.

Conclusions:

• Lisdexamfetamine (LDX) at 40-60 mg/day is well-tolerated in healthy menopausal women.
• LDX effectively improved subjective executive function measures and objective delayed verbal recall.
• The findings suggest LDX as a potential therapeutic option for cognitive complaints during menopause.