Phytoestrogens and Cognition in Menopause

说明(申请人提供)：雌激素产生多种复合体 通过各种机制对大脑产生影响。积累数据具有 表明这些行为在认知和情绪方面起到了促进作用 以及对与年龄和疾病相关的认知脑的预防 拒绝。植物雌激素已显示出雌激素活性。他们一直都是 关于心血管功能的益处的研究，保存 骨骼，降低患癌症的风险，但前景不大 关于对心理功能影响的研究。此外，植物雌激素 一般情况下，医生不会开出对精神健康有影响的处方。 然而，许多出现围绝经期和绝经期后症状的女性 上市的植物雌激素，特别是大豆衍生的异黄酮类产品 对一般健康益处的看法，包括可能增强的精神健康 功能。这项探索性研究的目标是开发初步数据 关于异黄酮类植物雌激素在生产中的效果 中老年绝经后高血压患者认知功能的研究 记忆受损的症状，因此增加了患上 进展性痴呆如阿尔茨海默病？S病。次要目标将是 检查基础皮质醇水平的变化，以此作为评估 对一种内分泌参数的干预具有重要意义 海马体功能，特别是在老年人。我们将实施为期16周的 异黄酮补充剂方案的随机、双盲、 对55岁至75岁的更年期妇女进行的安慰剂对照研究 健忘等认知功能减退的症状，但谁不见面 可能患有痴呆症的标准。我们将评估神经心理学的变化 基础皮质醇中执行功能能力和情景记忆的测量 水平，和情绪。我们期待着积极的示范 对这一高危人群进行干预的反应将建立 为将来更全面地研究剂量、作用机制和 有效期。最终，这样的研究可能会为 使用异黄酮类作为一种替代治疗，将提供精神和 无传统荷尔蒙相关风险的一般健康益处 替代疗法。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Estrogens produce a multitude of complex effects in the brain by means of a variety of mechanisms. Accumulating data has indicated that these actions mediate enhancing effects on cognition and mood as well as perhaps prophylaxis against age-and disease-related cognitive-cerebral decline. Phytoestrogens have demonstrated estrogenic activity. They have been studied with respect to benefits for cardiovascular function, preservation of bone, and reduction of risk for cancer, but there is little prospective research regarding effects on mental function. In addition, phytoestrogens generally are not prescribed by practitioners for mental health effects. However, many women experiencing peri-and post-menopausal symptoms consume marketed phytoestrogens, in particular soy-derived isoflavone products, under the perception of general health benefits, including presumably enhanced mental function. The goal of this exploratory research is to develop preliminary data regarding the efficacy of isoflavone phytoestrogens in producing improvement in cognitive function in late middle-aged and elderly postmenopausal women with symptoms of memory impairment and, therefore, increased risk for development of progressive dementia such as Alzheimer?s Disease. A secondary goal will be to examine changes in basal cortisol levels, as a means of assessing the effect of the intervention on an endocrine parameter that has significance for hippocampal function, particularly in the aged. We will administer a 16-week protocol of isoflavone supplementation in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to menopausal women aged 55 to 75 years with forgetfulness and other symptoms of cognitive decline, but who do not meet criteria for probable dementia. We will assess changes in neuropsychological measures of executive function ability and episodic memory, in basal cortisol levels, and in mood. It is our expectation that the demonstration of positive responses to this intervention in this at-risk population will establish the basis for future, more comprehensive studies of dosage, mechanisms, and duration of effect. Ultimately, such research may establish the basis for the use of isoflavones as an alternative treatment that would provide mental and general health benefits without the risks associated with traditional hormone replacement therapies.