A study is underway to determine if memory problems are linked to menopause

Scientists from the Women's Health Program at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, are conducting a study to determine if a depleting supply of oestrogen is responsible for memory loss in women between the ages of 45 and 55 - the average age of menopause. If they find a link, they believe that hormone replacement therapy could help them prevent dementia.

To conduct the study, the researchers are using software called CogState, which is able to detect subtle changes in cognitive ability. It was originally designed to assess whether a football player was affected by a concussion and if so, if the player were able to remain in the game safely. The women who are participating in the study will undergo an MRI at the beginning and end of six months, which will show just how much the brain is straining to perform a task.

"Women (at that age) often complain that they can't remember where they put the keys, or they miss appointments - they say `I never used to be like that'," says program director Professor Susan Davis. "Women are often busy at this time of life, with adolescent children, elderly parents and work. (The memory effects) may just be a result of being sleep deprived. Or it might be that hormonal changes are setting in train changes in the biochemistry of the brain. We are trying to unravel that."

Co-researcher Dr Fiona Jane indiciates that if the results from the six-month study prove positive, "Women might consider using HRT. If you had a strong family history of dementia, or didn't have any other risk factors that stopped you taking HRT, you might consider that to be something to use around menopausal time," she says. "It's a stepping stone into understanding dementia more, and other areas of investigation about preventing the onslaught of dementia - which is going to be an epidemic."

News Release: Study gives pause for thought   www.theage.com.au  March11, 2009