Vascular Mechanisms for the Effects of Loss of Ovarian Hormone Function on Cognition in Women

Changes in patterns of brain activation in the prefrontal cortex using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a task of working memory will be measured at baseline, 6 months, and 9 months (GnRH agonist arm only). Beta weight is the percent signal change on the FMRI from one condition to another. The FMRI is measuring blood oxygen levels and blood flow in different regions of the brain and using that to determine activity changes in the brain. A positive number/increase indicates more blood flow and brain activity in that area.

Changes in patterns of brain activation in the prefrontal cortex using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a task of working memory will be measured at baseline, 6 months, and 9 months (GnRH agonist arm only). Beta weight is the percent signal change on the FMRI from one condition to another. The FMRI is measuring blood oxygen levels and blood flow in different regions of the brain and using that to determine activity changes in the brain. A positive number/increase indicates more blood flow and brain activity in that area.

Changes in endothelial function will be measured using brachial artery flow-mediated dilation at baseline, 6 months

Changes in endothelial function will be measured using brachial artery flow-mediated dilation at baseline, 9 months

Changes in carotid artery compliance will be measured using ultrasound in at baseline, 6 months.

Changes in carotid artery compliance will be measured using ultrasound in at baseline, 9 months.

Change in time (seconds) to complete Trails A test between baseline and 6 months. Negative value indicates faster time (better performance) at 6 months compared to baseline.

Change in time (seconds) to complete Trails A test between baseline and 9 months. Negative value indicates faster time (better performance) at 9 months compared to baseline.

Change in Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test from baseline to 6 months.

Score is the change in the number of items correct on delayed recall trial. Scores on the RAVLT range from 0-15 with higher scores indicating better performance. A positive change indicates improvement in recall.

Change in Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test from baseline to 9 months.

Score is the change in the number of items correct on delayed recall trial. Scores on the RAVLT range from 0-15 with higher scores indicating better performance. A positive change indicates improvement in recall.

Change in time (seconds) to complete Trails B test between baseline and 6 months. Negative value indicates faster time (better performance) at 6 months compared to baseline.

Change in time (seconds) to complete Trails B test between baseline and 9 months. Negative value indicates faster time (better performance) at 9 months compared to baseline.

Change in number of correct responses in one minute on Stroop Color Word Interference test between baseline and 6 months. A positive number indicates more items correct indicating better performance. There is no maximum score because the test measures how many correct responses a participant can return within one minute (minimum = 0), however 40 or fewer is considered low. The change in the number of correct responses is reported, and so a positive number indicates more correct responses and better/improved cognitive function.

Change in number of correct responses in one minute on Stroop Color Word Interference test between baseline and 9 months. Positive number indicates more items correct indicating better performance. There is no maximum score because the test measures how many correct responses a participant can return within one minute (minimum = 0), however 40 or fewer is considered low. The change in the number of correct responses is reported, and so a positive number indicates more correct responses and better/improved cognitive function.

Change in score on the Digit Span Test between baseline and 6 month. Raw scores on the Digit Span test range from 0-16 (Digits Forward) and 0-10 (Digits Backward) with higher scores indicating better performance. A positive change score indicates improved performance.

Change in score on the Digit Span Test between baseline and 9 months. Raw scores on the Digit Span test range from 0-16 (Digits Forward) and 0-10 (Digits Backward) with higher scores indicating better performance. A positive change score indicates improved performance.

Change in sum of scores on 3 COWAT trials (letters, F, A, and S) between baseline and 6 months. Participants are given one minute to think up as many words as they can associated with each letter (F, A, or S). Raw scores are the total number of words generated across all trials. Higher scores indicate more words generated and better performance. Positive change score indicates an increase in words generated, or improved performance.

Change in sum of scores on 3 COWAT trials (letters, F, A, and S) between baseline and 9 months. Participants are given one minute to think up as many words as they can associated with each letter (F, A, or S). Raw scores are the total number of words generated across all trials. Higher scores indicate more words generated and better performance. Positive change score indicates an increase in words generated, or improved performance.