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Menopause and cognitive impairment: A narrative review of current knowledge
- Source :
- World Journal of Psychiatry
- Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- A severe impairment of cognitive function characterizes dementia. Mild cognitive impairment represents a transition between normal cognition and dementia. The frequency of cognitive changes is higher in women than in men. Based on this fact, hormonal factors likely contribute to cognitive decline. In this sense, cognitive complaints are more common near menopause, a phase marked by a decrease in hormone levels, especially estrogen. Additionally, a tendency toward worsened cognitive performance has been reported in women during menopause. Vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes, sweating, and dizziness), vaginal dryness, irritability and forgetfulness are common and associated with a progressive decrease in ovarian function and a subsequent reduction in the serum estrogen concentration. Hormone therapy (HT), based on estrogen with or without progestogen, is the treatment of choice to relieve menopausal symptoms. The studies conducted to date have reported conflicting results regarding the effects of HT on cognition. This article reviews the main aspects of menopause and cognition, including the neuroprotective role of estrogen and the relationship between menopausal symptoms and cognitive function. We present and discuss the findings of the central observational and interventional studies on HT and cognition.
- Subjects :
- business.industry
medicine.drug_class
medicine.medical_treatment
Cognitive decline
Cognition
Estrogens
Review
Irritability
medicine.disease
Menopause
Estrogen
Medicine
Dementia
Hormone therapy
Effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance
medicine.symptom
business
Hot flashes
Clinical psychology
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 22203206
- Volume :
- 11
- Issue :
- 8
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- World journal of psychiatry
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....f2d3b71155490ae67528caa2d05e0225