Possible acceleration of age effects on cognition following menopause.

Many cognitive functions have been shown to deteriorate with age. Because of the importance of the menopause as a milestone in the life cycles of women, we examined whether the aging-over-time process in some cognitive functions differs between women of reproductive age and postmenopausal women. It is demonstrated here that in some cognitive tests, including driving simulation, reaction time and some visuospatial tests, there is a significant acceleration in deterioration of functioning following menopause. It is suggested that this acceleration might be associated with the lack of gonadal hormones or other reproduction-related factors which may play a protective role against age-related deterioration in some cognitive functions in women.