RETRACTED: Psychological assessment of the effects of treatment with phytoestrogens on postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled study.
To investigate the effects of soy isoflavones on mood and cognitive function in postmenopausal women.



Randomized, double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled trial.



University Hospital, Milan, Italy; A.G.UN.CO. Obstetrics and Gynaecology Centre, Rome, Italy.



Seventy-eight postmenopausal women.



We administered 60 mg/day isoflavones or placebo for 6 months. After a washout period of 1 month, the patients who had been treated with phytoestrogens received placebo, and those who previously received placebo were administered phytoestrogens (for 6 months).



Cognitive performance and mood were assessed by a battery of tests at the end of each treatment period. At the end of the study, the patients were also asked whether they preferred the first or second treatment.



The 17 scores on cognitive performance test and the 6 for mood assessments 6 showed an advantage for the treatment with phytoestrogens. Similarly, of the 8 visual analogue scales used to indicate mood, 7 improved significantly after the treatment with phytoestrogens. Moreover, 49 patients preferred phytoestrogens, 9 placebo, and 18 had no preference. The preference was not related to the order of treatment.



These results suggest that isoflavones may have positive effects on postmenopausal women improving cognitive performance and mood.
Department of Human Physiology and Pharmacology Vittorio Erspamer, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy. marialuisa.casini@lycos.com
Maria Luisa
ML
Casini
Guido
G
Marelli
Enrico
E
Papaleo
Augusto
A
Ferrari
Francesco
F
D'Ambrosio
Vittorio
V
Unfer
D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D013025:Glycine max
D007529:Isoflavones; D048789:Phytoestrogens