Menstrual cycle irregularity and menopause status influence cognition in women with schizophrenia

Cognitive symptoms in schizophrenia, such as impaired memory, poor attention and information processing, and difficulties with executive functions, are a core feature of schizophrenia, strongly related to quality of life and functional outcomes (Green, 1996) (Nuechterlein et al., 2012). The aetiology and capacity to treat cognitive symptoms is understudied (Nuechterlein et al., 2012). Hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis that regulate reproductive function have multiple effects on the development, maintenance and function of the brain (Vadakkadath Meethal and Atwood, 2005) and have been previously implicated in the aetiology of schizophrenia (Markham, 2012).
Source: Psychoneuroendocrinology - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Source Type: research