Subjective cognitive changes following premenopausal risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy

OBJECTIVE

Women at high risk of ovarian cancer are commonly advised to undergo risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) prior to natural menopause. Cognitive symptoms during natural menopause transition are frequently reported; however, very few studies have examined cognitive changes following surgical menopause. To address this gap, we explored the cognitive experiences of women within 24 months post BSO.

METHODS

This observational cross-sectional sub-study is part of a larger project, the Early Menopause and Cognition Study (EM-COG). We investigated perceived cognitive experiences in Australian women (n = 16) who underwent risk-reducing BSO using qualitative interviews. Thematic analysis was undertaken to identify key themes.

RESULTS

Fifteen out of 16 participants (93.75%) reported changes to cognition within 24 months post BSO. The key cognitive symptoms reported were brain fog, memory and retrieval difficulties, slower processing speed as well as attention difficulties. Five participants (31.3%) experienced negative mood symptoms post BSO.

CONCLUSION

Findings from this study suggest that women experience subjective cognitive changes within 24 months post BSO. This period could be a vulnerable time for women's cognitive health. While these findings need to be confirmed by a large prospective study, our research indicates that psychoeducation and awareness will be helpful in managing cognitive symptoms after surgical menopause.

Production of Ultra-Thin Metal Films Using Neutral Cluster Beams

Gold clusters (diam. = 1.0 ± .5 nm) are prepared in a gas aggregation source (MECS), expanded into a vacuum chamber to form a neutral cluster beam, and deposited at low impact velocity on room temperature substrates. When several monolayers of these clusters are deposited on clean substrates (nitrocellulose, glass, mica, NaCl), they form smooth ultra-thin films. These cluster-assembled films appear to be similar in quality to those produced by the Takagi-Yamada ion cluster beam process. They exhibit finite electrical conductivity at thicknesses much smaller than is the case with atomically evaporated films. They are extremely uniform and smooth with a surface height that typically varies less than 1 nm across the entire film.

Treatment of pneumothorax in the newborn infant

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