A/Prof. Caroline Gurvich1,4, Dr Elizabeth Thomas1,4, Ms Adithi Ramachandra1,4, A/Prof Narelle Warren6, Prof Jayashri Kulkarni1,4, Prof Martha Hickey5, A/Prof Amanda Vincent2,3
1Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, 2School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, 3Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia, 4Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia, 5University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia, 6School of Social Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Bilateral oophorectomy (BSO) prior to the age of natural menopause has been associated with decreased cognitive performance later in life, as well as an increased risk of dementia. Whether there are cognitive changes that occur within the short term following early surgical menopause is less well studied. During natural menopause, about two thirds of women report subjective cognitive complaints, predominantly related to memory and attention. The aim of this research is to determine whether early surgical menopause is associated with subjective experiences of cognitive change. Using a mixed-methods study design, women aged 30-44 years who are at high familial risk and/ or high inherited risk (BRCA 1/2) of ovarian cancer were invited to participate and grouped according to whether they were planning to have risk-reducing BSO in the next 12 months. Cognition (using neuropsychological assessment as well as qualitative interview) was assessed prior to BSO, and at 3, 12 and 24 months post-BSO. Preliminary findings from the 3 month interview suggest early surgical menopause is associated with subjective experiences of cognitive difficulties, primarily relating to memory and attention. These findings will contribute to resources and strategies that can assist women manage cognitive changes that may be experienced following early menopause.
Biography:
Caroline Gurvich is a Clinical Neuropsychologist and an Associate Professor at Monash University, Department of Psychiatry, where she leads the Cognition and Hormones research group. Her research focuses on hormonal influences on cognition and their interactions with psychological and lifestyle factors, such as stress and early life trauma. She has over 100 publications that have ultimately contributed to a better understanding of neuropsychology in women’s mental health. She is the recipient of several awards, prizes and competitive grant funding, including NHMRC project grants, an NHMRC early career fellowship, Rebecca Cooper Foundation project grant as well as institutional and philanthropic funding.