title: Memory complaints associated with the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists: a preliminary study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the effect of GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) treatment on memory and to assess the role of psychological factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  An academic teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women with endometriosis and infertility or endometriosis alone.
  
  
  METHODS
  Memory Observation Questionnaire, Profile of Mood States, Health Concerns scale, a weekly diary of adverse effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Perceived memory functioning decreased during GnRH-a administration and by the final week of treatment 44% of women reported moderate to marked impairment in comparison to community norms. Prospective memory was most affected and withdrawal of GnRH-a treatment resulted in a return to normal memory functioning. Impairment was not related to excessive health concerns or mood changes and was uncorrelated with other adverse effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Memory disruption may be a more common side effect of GnRH-a treatment than currently is recognized. Problems were temporary and more likely a result of rapid estrogen depletion than a consequence of mood, somatic distress, or personality factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University Hospital, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Newton
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Slota
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Yuzpe
authors.forename: I S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Tummon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D017274:Nafarelin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D017274:Nafarelin; D004958:Estradiol; D016729:Leuprolide