Estradiol and cognitive functioning in the menopause transition.
Description: It is widely recognized that many women experience cognitive difficulties such as forgetfulness and poor concentration when they reach menopause, which begins one year after a woman's final menstrual period. However, it is much less recognized that as many as 50% of women report cognitive problems in the years leading up to menopause, otherwise known as the menopause transition (or 'perimenopause'). Although it has been proposed that the hormonal changes associated with the menopause transition may contribute, very little research has been devoted to studying cognitive deficits during this transition period. The goal of this study is therefore to improve our understanding of both the nature and hormonal causes of perimenopausal cognitive deficits. The proposed study will enroll 50 women aged 45-55 years who are complaining of cognitive difficulties and currently in the menopause transition (defined according to menstrual bleeding patterns). Once every three weeks across a 12-week period, the participants will provide a urine sample for hormone measurements and undergo cognitive testing, including assessments of immediate and delayed memory, attention, language and executive function. We anticipate that weeks characterized by low estrogen levels will also be characterized by deficits in cognitive ability. The results of this study will not only serve to validate and legitimize perimenopausal women's cognitive complaints but will also point to potential treatment options, including estrogen therapy, for women suffering from bothersome cognitive difficulties.
Amount: CA$85,000
Funding type: fellowship
Funder scheme: Doctoral Award - Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS-D)
Start date: 2019-05-01
End date: 2021-09-10
Investigator: Julia Grummisch
Institution: University of Regina (Saskatchewan)
Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Funded outputs count: 0
Funder award ID: 164201_1
OpenAlex ID: G7789987491