Cognitive and brain health in women with early bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: Implications for risk, resilience, and subjective cognitive decline

Abstract

Introduction: Early life bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) leads to immediate estradiol loss and increased risk of late-life Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We investigated risk and resilience (RandR) on the average of 5 years post BSO and their possible impact on subjective cognitive decline (SCD), and brain structure.

Methods: A cohort in Canada (n = 333) included women with and without BSO of whom some reported SCD. We used multiple factor analysis, logistic regression, and magnetic resonance imaging to assess RandR, odds of SCD, and differences in gray matter volume (GMV).

Results: BSO was a risk for worse neuropsychological performance, a 2-fold increase in the odds of SCD, and decreases in GMV in regions sensitive to estradiol, and important for mood, memory, and language. However, estradiol therapy (ET_BSO), and verbal IQ mitigated this risk.

Discussion: Risk of SCD exists for younger women with BSO, which affects GMV. Importantly, ET_BSO and verbal IQ may shift that risk.

Highlights: Oophorectomy in early middle age may be a risk for subjective cognitive decline. Oophorectomy is associated with less gray matter volume in the prefrontal cortex. Estradiol therapy and verbal IQ might be resilience factors mitigating such risk.