Nr. Varney et al., NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL DYSFUNCTION IN WOMEN FOLLOWING LEUPROLIDE ACETATE INDUCTION OF HYPOESTROGENISM, Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics, 10(1), 1993, pp. 53-57
Objective: The study investigated the neuropsychological status of wom
en with induced hypoestrogenism. Design: An ABA design was employed in
which neuropsychological measures were repeated prior to, during, and
after induction of hypoestrogenism with leuprolide acetate. Setting:
The study took place in a medical school affiliated in vitro fertiliza
tion clinic. Interventions: Leuprolide acetate was administered to all
subjects as part of in vitro fertilization. Methods: Eighteen women r
eceiving in vitro fertilization treatment underwent neuropsychological
testing before, during, and after treatment with leuprolide acetate a
nd gonadotrophins. The neuropsychological test battery was selected on
the basis of previous patients' symptomatic complaints during periods
of hypoestrogenism with leuprolide acetate. Results: Depending upon t
he tests administered, some individuals showed significant cognitive d
eficits during therapy particularly in the areas of memory, fine motor
coordination, and two-point discrimination. Two of the 18 subjects sh
owed very substantial neuropsychological sequelae including memory gap
s and disturbances in a variety of neuropsychological test performance
s. However, in terms of group statistics, only two-point discriminatio
n and delayed recall memory test performance proved significant. Not a
ll measures were sensitive for the group, as many tests displayed a ba
lance between individuals who showed practice effects and those who sh
owed detrimental effects. Conclusions: For a substantial portion of in
dividuals, hypoestrogenism can result in statistically significant or
clinically noteworthy problems with memory, dexterity, and two-point d
iscrimination.