Memory and cognitive issues are connected to polycystic ovarian syndrome

According to recent studies, middle-aged women with polycystic ovarian syndrome may be more susceptible to memory and cognitive issues.

The research, which was published in the Neurology online journal, did not establish a link between polycystic ovarian syndrome and cognitive deterioration. It only displays a correlation.

The hormonal condition known as polycystic ovary syndrome is characterized by irregular menstruation and high levels of the androgen hormone.

Excessive hair growth, acne, infertility, and poor metabolic health are possible additional symptoms.

It is a prevalent reproductive condition that affects as many as 10% of women. Although it has been connected to metabolic disorders like diabetes and obesity, which may cause cardiac issues, little is known about how this illness impacts brain function.

According to our findings, those who suffer from this illness may experience mild cognitive decline as well as minor alterations in their brains around midlife. A person’s quality of life, professional performance, and financial stability might all be impacted by this, according to Heather G. Huddleston of the University of California, San Francisco.

There were 907 female participants in the research who ranged in age from 18 to 30 at the beginning of the investigation. They had assessments measuring their attention, processing speed, memory, and language skills throughout the course of a 30-year follow-up.

Sixty-six individuals had polycystic ovarian syndrome at the time of testing. According to the findings, the average score of those with polycystic ovarian syndrome was almost 11% lower than that of those without the illness.

Moreover, as compared to those without this condition, they performed worse on three of the five tests, particularly in the language, memory, and attention domains.

A smaller subset of the 291 patients had brain scans in years 25 and 30 of the research. Of them, 25 showed reduced white matter integrity and polycystic ovarian syndrome, which may be early signs of brain aging.

“Additional research is needed to confirm these findings and to determine how this change occurs, including looking at changes that people can make to reduce their chances of thinking and memory problems,” Huddleston said.

“Making changes like incorporating more cardiovascular exercise and improving mental health may serve to also improve brain ageing for this population.”