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

Abstract

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.

Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial.

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

Patient(s): Two-hundred healthy, naturally postmenopausal women aged 50-65 years.

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

Main outcome measure(s): Comparisons in verbal fluency, verbal memory, and spatial ability between the three treatment groups.

Result(s): We found no significant effects of testosterone or estrogen on verbal fluency, verbal memory, or spatial ability.

Conclusion(s): 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.