Polycystic ovary syndrome linked with cognitive decline at midlife
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- Reviewed by Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) — a constellation of symptoms stemming from a hormonal imbalance — may face higher risks of cognitive problems at midlife, a new study suggests.
The study, published online by Neurology on Feb. 27, 2024, tracked nearly 1,200 women for 30 years. Participants were between ages 18 and 30 at the study's start. About 7% of them had PCOS, which is characterized by symptoms such as ovarian cysts, missed periods, weight gain, and acne. At the end of the study period, participants completed tests of cognitive abilities such as memory, verbal learning, attention, and processing speed. Nearly 300 of the participants, about 8.5% of whom had PCOS, also underwent brain imaging.
At midlife, women with PCOS scored an average of about 11% lower on attention, verbal learning, and memory than participants without the condition. Brain images from women with PCOS also exhibited more structural changes at midlife to the brain's white matter, which is believed to be integral to normal cognitive function. The study was observational, so it couldn't prove that PCOS causes cognitive decline — only that an association exists. Women with PCOS should make sure they seek treatment to help control their risks for later complications of the condition, the study authors said.
Image: © JGI/Tom Grill /Getty Images
About the Author
Maureen Salamon, Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch
About the Reviewer
Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
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