Cognitive functions and serum cortisol concentration in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women working non-manually.

Objectives: To asses a possible relationship between serum cortisol concentration and cognitive function in peri- and postmenopausal women engaging in non-manual work.

Methods: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used to screen women for the study and the Computerized Neurocognitive-assessment Software (CNS) Vital Signs to diagnose cognitive functions.

Results: Cognitive functions and serum cortisol concentration did not differ between women in early and late perimenopause and postmenopause. The women in the study obtained lower reaction time compared to other cognitive functions studied. Cognitive functions correlated negatively with age and educational level, but not BMI. Serum cortisol concentration correlated negatively to NCI, motor speed, psychomotor speed and reaction time in postmenopausal women, but positively to complex memory in early perimenopausal women and to processing speed in early and late perimenopasal women.

Conclusion: Higher serum cortisol concentration may negatively effect cognitive functions in women post menopause.