title: Does polycystic ovary syndrome affect cognition? A functional magnetic resonance imaging study exploring working memory.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study effects of overexposure to androgens and subsequent antiandrogenic treatment on brain activity during working memory processes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this longitudinal study, working memory function was evaluated with the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in women with PCOS before and after antiandrogenic treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Department of reproductive medicine, university medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen women with PCOS and with hyperandrogenism and 20 healthy control women without any features of PCOS or other hormonal disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Antiandrogenic hormone treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Functional MRI response during a working memory task.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline women with PCOS showed more activation than the control group within the right superior parietal lobe and the inferior parietal lobe during task (all memory conditions). Task performance (speed and accuracy) did not differ between the groups. After antiandrogenic treatment the difference in overall brain activity between the groups disappeared and accuracy in the high memory load condition of the working memory task increased in women with PCOS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women with PCOS may need additional neural resources during a working memory task compared with women without PCOS, suggesting less efficient executive functioning. This inefficiency may have effects on daily life functioning of women with PCOS. Antiandrogenic treatment appears to have a beneficial effect on this area of cognitive functioning.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  NTR2493.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Remi S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Soleman
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Baudewijntje P C
authors.initials: BPC
authors.lastname: Kreukels
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Dick J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Veltman
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Peggy T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Cohen-Kettenis
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Peter G A
authors.initials: PGA
authors.lastname: Hompes
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Madeleine L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Drent
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine of the University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium; Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address: cb.lambalk@vumc.nl.
authors.forename: Cornelis B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Lambalk
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: PCOS; cognition; functional MRI; working memory