PCOS linked to cognitive decline and memory issues in midlife

PCOS is a common reproductive disorder
It has long been associated with adverse cardiometabolic effects
About 116 million women around the world have PCOS

Updated: Feb 10, 2024 / 05:07 PM CST

This illustration made available by the National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health depicts cells in an Alzheimer’s affected brain, with abnormal levels of the beta-amyloid protein clumping together to form plaques, brown, that collect between neurons and disrupt cell function. Abnormal collections of the tau protein accumulate and form tangles, blue, within neurons, harming synaptic communication between nerve cells. (National Institute on Aging, NIH via AP)

(NewsNation) — Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) may face a higher risk of cognitive decline in midlife according to a recent study conducted by researchers from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA).

PCOS, a common reproductive disorder, has long been associated with adverse cardiometabolic effects, but this study sheds light on its potential impact on brain health.

The study included 1,163 women with a focus on PCOS symptoms such as elevated androgen levels, hirsutism, and irregular periods. Participants, who were aged around 54.7 years, underwent cognitive testing and some underwent brain MRI scans to assess brain structure and white matter integrity.

About 116 million women around the world have PCOS. The chronic condition affects around 8% to 13% of women and girls of reproductive age worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, but as many as 70% could be experiencing PCOS while undiagnosed.

Results indicated that 66 out of the 907 women who completed cognitive testing met the criteria for PCOS. These women showed lower performance in cognitive tests compared to those without PCOS. Specifically, they performed poorer on tests assessing attention, verbal learning and memory, and semantic fluency.

Furthermore, among the subset of participants who underwent MRI scans, those with PCOS demonstrated lower total white matter fractional anisotropy, indicating potential issues with white matter integrity.

Previous research shows women with PCOS are at an increased risk for several diseases endometrial cancer, and high blood pressure. PCOS is also often linked to insulin resistance, which can result in elevated blood sugar levels and an escalated risk of Type 2 diabetes.