scholarly journals Memory Decline in Peri- and Post-menopausal Women: The Potential of Mind–Body Medicine to Improve Cognitive Performance

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. IMI.S15682 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jim R. Sliwinski ◽  
Aimee K. Johnson ◽  
Gary R. Elkins

Cognitive decline is a frequent complaint during the menopause transition and among post-menopausal women. Changes in memory correspond with diminished estrogen production. Further, many peri- and post-menopausal women report sleep concerns, depression, and hot flashes, and these factors may contribute to cognitive decline. Hormone therapy can increase estrogen but is contraindicated for many women. Mind–body medicine has been shown to have beneficial effects on sleep, mood, and hot flashes, among post-menopausal women. Further, mind–body medicine holds potential in addressing symptoms of cognitive decline post-menopause. This study proposes an initial framework for how mind–body interventions may improve cognitive performance and inform future research seeking to identify the common and specific factors associated with mind–body medicine for addressing memory decline in peri- and post-menopausal women. It is our hope that this article will eventually lead to a more holistic and integrative approach to the treatment of cognitive deficits in peri- and post-menopausal women.

2009 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 332-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Rodrigues ◽  
Jonathan K. Foster ◽  
Giuseppe Verdile ◽  
Karen Joesbury ◽  
Richard Prince ◽  
...  

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the major form of age-related dementia worldwide, accounting for more than two-thirds of all dementia cases. The disease is characterized by a progressive loss of cognitive and intellectual functioning (Gilman, 1997). A number of risk factors for AD have been identified. The prevalence of AD increases with age, diabetes, depression, family history of Parkinson's disease and following head injury or exposure to solvents (Jorm et al., 1991; van Duijn et al., 1991; Ott et al., 1995; Yoshitake et al., 1995; Devanand et al., 1996). Published research further suggests that low education levels are associated with increased prevalence of clinical AD (Gatz et al., 2001; Qiu et al., 2001; Ravaglia et al., 2002). Women also have a higher risk for developing the disease than men, with the risk being markedly increased following menopause (Sherwin, 2002; Sherwin 2003). Additionally, slightly more severe cognitive deficits have been reported in AD in women compared to men (Buckwalter et al., 1993, Henderson and Buckwalter, 1994). These epidemiological trends may be a consequence of reproductive hormonal changes. Specifically, menopause results in a marked diminution in gonadal estrogen production in women (see Sherwin, 2003, for a review). Estrogen plays a pivotal role in the maintenance and function of neuronal circuits in the brain and in resistance to neuronal damage (McEwen, 2001). The neuroprotective properties of estrogen are thought to be mediated at least in part by anti-amyloidogenic, anti-oxidative and ant-inflammatory mechanisms (reviewed in Barron et al., 2006a). However, limited and somewhat mixed data exist regarding the association between endogenous levels of estrogen and cognitive decline (Manly et al., 2000; Schupf et al., 2003). Based on some of our own findings, we here consider the factors that may be useful in predicting memory decline as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease in older post-menopausal women.


2008 ◽  
Vol 04 (01) ◽  
pp. 108
Author(s):  
Collins John

More than 50% of women going through the menopause experience hot flashes, which may cause sleep disturbances and lethargy. The symptoms are due to estrogen deficiency, which may also cause urogenital atrophy and vaginal dryness. In 25% of women, symptoms of the menopause are severe enough to seek relief. In women who do not undergo treatment, the proportion with hot flashes decreases to about 30% within three years.1


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xi Chen ◽  
Zhixin Liu ◽  
Perminder S. Sachdev ◽  
Nicole A. Kochan ◽  
Henry Brodaty ◽  
...  

Abstract This study investigated associations of adherence to the Australian Dietary Guidelines (ADG) with cognitive performance and cognitive decline over 6 years. We used longitudinal data from the Sydney Memory and Aging Study comprising 1037 community-dwelling non-demented participants aged 70–90 years. Dietary intake was assessed at baseline using the Dietary Questionnaire for Epidemiological Studies Version 2. Adherence to the ADG was scored using the Dietary Guideline Index 2013 (DGI-2013). Cognition was assessed using neuropsychological tests in six cognitive domains and global cognition at baseline and 2, 4 and 6 years later. Linear mixed models analysed the association between adherence to the ADG and cognitive function and cognitive decline over 6 years. Results indicated that overall adherence to the ADG was suboptimal (DGI-2013 mean score 43⋅8 with a standard deviation of 10⋅1; median score 44, range 12–73 with an interquartile range of 7). The percent of participants attaining recommended serves for the five food groups were 30⋅2 % for fruits, 11⋅2 % for vegetables, 54⋅6 % for cereals, 28⋅9 % for meat and alternatives and 2⋅1 % for dairy consumption. Adherence to the ADG was not associated with overall global cognition over 6 years (β = 0⋅000; 95 % CI: −0⋅007, 0⋅007; P = 0⋅95). Neither were DGI-2013 scores associated with change in global cognitive performance over 6 years (β = 0⋅002; 95 % CI: −0⋅002, 0⋅005; P = 0⋅41) nor in any individual cognitive domains. In conclusion, adherence to the ADG was not associated with cognitive health over time in this longitudinal analysis of older Australians. Future research is needed to provide evidence to support specific dietary guidelines for neurocognitive health among Australian older adults.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 52-57
Author(s):  
Vinodkumar Mugada ◽  
Raj Kiran Kolakota ◽  
Sujana Bhargavi Jadda ◽  
Urmila Kotapadu ◽  
Mounika Veesam

Post-menopausal women experience symptoms such as irregular periods, lower fertility, vaginal dryness, hot flashes and night sweats. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) relieves menopausal symptoms. The aim of this review was to assess the benefits and risks of HRT in post-menopausal women. A scoping review was conducted for original peer-reviewed English language papers using the electronic databases of PUBMED, JAMA, BMC and TRIP. The papers were subjected to a three-stage screening process. The type of study, year of study, age, participants, type of therapy and the aim of the study defined the inclusion and exclusion criteria. HRT was associated with reduced risk and prevalence of end-stage kidney disease, gastric esophageal reflex disease (GORD) symptoms, periodontal disease and associated with the increased risk of overall cancers. The benefits of HRT depend on the duration of therapy, formulation, route of administration, time of initiating therapy (age <60 years) and type of therapy. Post-menopausal symptomatic women mostly benefited with hormone replacement therapy. To reduce risks of adverse events, HRT should be initiated with appropriate monitoring.


1994 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 347-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert V. High ◽  
Patricia A. Marcellino

A survey was taken of working, post-menopausal women, concerning their menopausal symptoms. The survey addressed itself to any difficulties the women may have faced in the work environment as a result of their menopausal symptoms. The final sample consisted of N = 89 completed survey instruments. In addition to night sweats and hot flashes, other symptoms reported by at least 40% of the women included weight gain, irritability, depression, bloating, and mood changes. These symptoms were reported as being disruptive to their lives by 47% of the respondents, with 30% indicating that their job performance had been adversely affected. The symptoms of irritability and mood changes showed significant correlations with job performance. The sample was further analyzed with regard to whether the respondent was in a managerial or non-managerial position. Excluding the expected night sweats and hot flashes, the non-managerial group showed a significantly higher percentage reporting each symptom in seven of the eight symptoms listed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (105) ◽  
pp. 33-39
Author(s):  
Ema Lašinytė ◽  
Vilma Mauricienė ◽  
Alfonsas Vainoras ◽  
Kristina Berškienė

Background.  Osteoporosis  is  an  emerging  medical  and  socioeconomic  threat  characterized  by  a  systemic impairment of bone mass, strength, and microarchitecture. Due to degenerative changes in morphology and structure, the amount of bone fragility and fractures increases affecting balance function. Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese mind- body exercise that has the potential to overcome the impairments associated with frailty. Methods. The study involved 13 post-menopausal women with osteoporosis. All subjects participated in Tai Chi exercise program which lasted for eight weeks. Two, one-hour group training sessions were taught per week. Balance assessment was performed three times: before Tai Chi exercise program, after four weeks and after eight weeks of the application of Tai Chi exercise program. Balance measurements were conducted using platform “Sigma Balance Pad” and BESS test. Results. Research findings of “Sigma Balance Pa” showed statistically significant changes ( p < .05) in eyes opened condition while in eyes closed condition no significant changes were observed (p ≥ .05). Results of BESS test revealed statistically significant improvement of static balance after Tai Chi exercise program (p = .033). Conclusions.  Research  results  demonstrated  balance  improvement:  body  sway  and  center  of  pressure displacement speed decreased after Tai Chi exercise program. Further future research of reliability and validity of the BESS in subjects with osteoporosis should be considered.


2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Callie Troutfetter ◽  
Alicia M. Hanson ◽  
K. L. Iresha Sampathi Perera ◽  
Jaekyoon Kim ◽  
Rajesh K. Pandey ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Averi J. Giudicessi ◽  
Ursula G. Saelzler ◽  
Aladdin H. Shadyab ◽  
Alexander Ivan B. Posis ◽  
Erin Sundermann ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTObjectiveThe association of pregnancy with later life cognition is not well understood. Few studies address the potential confounding role of socioeconomic factors on this relationship. We examined whether pregnancy was associated with cognitive function in a large, population-based sample of post-menopausal women and the potential mediating effects of education level and federal income-to-poverty ratio (PIR) on this relationship.MethodsParticipants were 1,016 post-menopausal women from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). We utilized data from two study waves between years 2011-2014. Cognitive functioning was evaluated by: Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), Animal Fluency (AF), Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease CERAD word learning task (CERAD-WL) and CERAD delayed recall (CERAD-DR). Lifetime education level and federal income-to-poverty ratio (PIR) were examined as mediating factors. Regression models were used to examine the relationship between number of term pregnancies and incomplete pregnancies and cognitive performance.ResultsA greater number of term pregnancies was related to worse performance on the DSST (p < .001), CERAD-DR (p < .007), and AF (p < .03). Conversely, greater incomplete pregnancies related to better CERAD-DR performance (p < .03). Significant associations between term pregnancies and cognitive scores were mediated by PIR but not education level.ConclusionsHigher number of term pregnancies was associated with worse cognitive performance, whereas higher number of incomplete pregnancies was associated with better cognitive performance. Results indicate the necessity to consider SES factors when studying the relationship between pregnancy and cognition.


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