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


METHODS
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial.


METHODS
Women's health clinical research unit at a university hospital.


METHODS
Two-hundred healthy, naturally postmenopausal women aged 50-65 years.


METHODS
Randomization to 4 weeks' treatment with testosterone (testosterone undecanoate, 40 mg/day), estrogen (oral E2 2 mg/day) or placebo.


METHODS
Comparisons in verbal fluency, verbal memory, and spatial ability between the three treatment groups.


RESULTS
We found no significant effects of testosterone or estrogen on verbal fluency, verbal memory, or spatial ability.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Kocoska-Maras
Ljiljana
L
Department of Women's and Children's Health, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Zethraeus
Niklas
N
Rådestad
Angelique Flöter
AF
Ellingsen
Tore
T
von Schoultz
Bo
B
Johannesson
Magnus
M
Hirschberg
Angelica Lindén
AL
D000728:Androgens / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D004967:Estrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects; D013028:Space Perception / Q000187:drug effects*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014705:Verbal Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D014706:Verbal Learning / Q000187:drug effects*
D000728:Androgens; D004967:Estrogens; D013739:Testosterone