A randomized trial of the effect of testosterone and estrogen on verbal fluency, verbal memory, and spatial ability in healthy postmenopausal women

作者：Kocoska Maras Ljiljana; Zethraeus Niklas; Raddestad Angelique Floter; Ellingsen Tore; von Schoultz Bo; Johannesson Magnus; Hirschberg Angelica Linden^*

来源：Fertility and Sterility, 2011, 95(1): 152-157.

DOI：10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.05.062

• Estrogen
• testosterone
• memory
• spatial ability
• cognition
• randomized trial

Objective: To test the causal relationship between sex hormones and cognitive skills in postmenopausal women. We hypothesized that testosterone would decrease verbal memory and verbal fluency and increase spatial ability compared with a placebo. For estrogen, we conversely hypothesized that the treatment would increase verbal fluency and verbal memory and decrease spatial ability.
Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial.
Setting: Women's health clinical research unit at a university hospital.
Patient(s): Two-hundred healthy, naturally postmenopausal women aged 50-65 years.
Intervention(s): Randomization to 4 weeks' treatment with testosterone (testosterone undecanoate, 40 mg/day), estrogen (oral E(2) 2 mg/day) or placebo.
Main Outcome Measure(s): Comparisons in verbal fluency, verbal memory, and spatial ability between the three treatment groups.
Result(s): We found no significant effects of testosterone or estrogen on verbal fluency, verbal memory, or spatial ability.
Conclusion(s): Our results give no support for short-term testosterone or estrogen treatment having any substantial effect on verbal fluency, verbal memory, or spatial ability in healthy postmenopausal women. (Fertil Steril(R) 2011;95:152-7.

• 出版日期2011-1