Sex differences in episodic memory in early midlife: Impact of reproductive aging

Abstract

Objective

Few have characterized cognitive changes with age as a function of menopausal stage relative to men, or sex differences in components of memory in early midlife. The study aim was to investigate variation in memory function in early midlife as a function of sex, sex steroid hormones, and reproductive status.

Methods

212 men and women ages 45–55 were selected for this cross-sectional study from a prenatal cohort of pregnancies whose mothers were originally recruited in 1959–1966. They underwent clinical and cognitive testing and hormonal assessments of menopausal status. Multivariate general linear models for multiple memory outcomes were used to test hypotheses controlling for potential confounders. Episodic memory, executive function, semantic processing and estimated verbal IQ were assessed. Associative and episodic verbal memory were assessed using Face-Name Associative Memory Exam (FNAME) and Selective Reminding Test (SRT), given increased sensitivity to detecting early cognitive decline. Impacts of sex and reproductive stage on performance were tested.

Results

Women outperformed men on all memory measures including FNAME (β = −0.30, p < 0.0001) and SRT (β = −0.29, p <0.0001). Further, premenopausal and perimenopausal women outperformed postmenopausal women on FNAME (Initial Learning, β= 0.32, p= 0.01) and SRT (Recall, β= 2.39, p= 0.02). Across all women, higher estradiol was associated with better SRT performance (Recall, β = 1.96, p= 0.01) and marginally associated with FNAME (Initial Learning, β = .19, p=.06).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that, in early midlife, women outperformed age-matched men across all memory measures, but sex differences were attenuated for postmenopausal women. Initial learning and memory retrieval were particularly vulnerable, while memory consolidation and storage were preserved. Findings underscore the significance of the decline in ovarian estradiol production in midlife and its role in shaping memory function.