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Research Studies

Menopause Research Studies

Menopause Working Memory Study
Menopause & Memory Study
Oophorectomy and Cognitive Complaint Study
Healthy Mood and Memory Study

Menopause Working Memory Study

This study focuses on the role that estrogen may play in memory in healthy menopausal women and is funded by the the National Institute of Mental Health and the Office of Research on Women's Health. The purpose of this study is to look at how estrogen affects memory, emotions, and brain activity in menopausal women. The length of time you'll be on estrogen or placebo (sugar pill) is approximately 3 months. This is also a brain imaging study in which you will participate in 4 fMRI scans; 2 before beginning estrogen or placebo treatment and 2 after starting estrogen or placebo treatment.

PCWBW is looking for menopausal women who meet the following criteria:

Are between the ages of 48-60 and in good health
Have irregular periods or have stopped having a period
Are within 10 years and 11 months of last menstrual period
Are a non-smoker
Are not on any psychiatric medication including antidepressants
Are NOT taking any hormones including birth control pills

You can help researchers at UPenn to learn more about estrogen's effects on mood, memory and attention by being a participant. You may earn up to $1050 if you qualify.

Please call Claudia for more information today at 215-41-STUDY

Click here to watch a short video about this research study

Menopause & Memory Study

Have you ever walked into a room and couldn't recall what you went there for?

Do you forget something if you don't write it down?

Do you find yourself having to read the same page of a book over and over again?

These are common complaints reported by women as they progress through the menopause. For some women, these changes in cognition can be very frustrating and effect their sense of well-being.

Our Center is studying whether a medication that is typically used to treat individuals with attention deficit disorder could improve memory, focus, and attention in menopausal women. This study also looks at how the medication affects memory, attention, and brain activity. Participants will have pictures taken of their brain with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine. While inside the machine, participants will be asked to do memory tasks. All participants will have a total of three functional magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance spectroscopy combination (fMRI/MRS) scans throughout the course of their participation in the study.

You may qualify for this research study if:

You are between the ages of 45 – 60
Your last menstrual period was within the last 5 years or your period is currently irregular
You are medically healthy
You do not have Attention Deficit Disorder
You have no recent history of drug abuse
You are currently experiencing mild to moderate difficulties with memory, attention, concentration, & focus
You are NOT on hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills
You are right-handed
You do not suffer from a fear of small, enclosed spaces (not claustrophobic)
You do not have any implanted metallic devices such as a pacemaker, orthodontic braces, or shrapnel

Study participants are compensated up to $550 for their time and travel to the Center for their participation in this study.

Please call Jeanette for more information today at (215) 573-8884

Click here to watch a CBS News broadcast about the study
Click on this link to watch a video and learn more about this study.

Oophorectomy and Cognitive Complaint Study

Women who enter menopause due to surgical removal of their ovaries are at an increased risk for difficulties with executive function. Executive functioning includes cognitive tasks such as decision-making, memory and attention, problem solving, and mental flexibility.

The Oophorectomy and Cognitive Complaint study is aiming to recruit otherwise healthy women between the ages of 30-60 who have already undergone surgically induced menopause by oophorectomy or hysterectomy within the past 10 years.

The purpose of this study is to look at the relationship between a drug called Vyvanse® and a placebo pill (sugar pill) on the cognition of women in this group. Study participation includes cognitive testing, non-contrast brain imaging and blood draws.

Women may meet criteria for study participation if they:

Are between 30-60 years old
Went through surgically-induced menopause within the last 10 years
Are currently experiencing cognitive difficulties since going through menopause
Are not currently experiencing depression or anxiety symptoms
Are not alcohol or drug abusers
Do not have implanted metallic devices
Are right-handed

All women who complete study participation will also have the opportunity to meet with one of our study MDs for a consultation regarding stimulant treatment and can receive a personalized treatment plan.

Women who fully complete participation can receive up to $275.

Click here to download a brochure about study participation.

Healthy Mood and Memory Study

Every year thousands of women chose to undergo surgically induced menopause for a variety of reasons. These reasons include pelvic pain, family history of female-specific cancers, and as a result of genetic counseling. While women may expect to experience the “typical” symptoms of menopause (such as hot flashes, night sweats, and weight gain), they may not be prepared for the difficulties they could experience related to memory, attention, and mental flexibility.

The Healthy Mood and Memory study is aiming to recruit otherwise healthy women between the ages of 30-60 who are planning to undergo surgically induced menopause by oophorectomy. The purpose of this study is to look at the relationship between a drug called Vyvanse®, the hormone estrogen, and a placebo pill (sugar pill) on the cognition of women before and after oophorectomy.

Study participation includes cognitive testing, non-contrast brain imaging and blood draws.

Women may meet criteria for study participation if they:

Are between 30-60 years old
Are planning to undergo surgically-induced menopause by full hysterectomy or oophorectomy
Are NOT currently experiencing cognitive difficulties
Are not currently experiencing depression or anxiety symptoms
Are not alcohol or drug abusers
Do not have implanted metallic devices
Are right-handed

Participants can be compensated up to $400 for their time.

Click here to download a brochure for more information about the study.