Research in the news: ADHD drug may help cognitive problems in menopausal women

Menopausal women often report some cognitive problems, but a new study suggests they can be lessened by taking stimulants such as those used to treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and Yale School of Medicine report.

The study, published online 11 June 2015 in the journal Psychopharmacology, suggests that administration of drug lisdexamfetamine might help menopausal women who experience significant problems with tasks requiring organization, working memory, and extended focus.

The double-blind placebo control trial tested cognitive performance of 32 healthy perimenopausal and menopausal women.

"When they enter menopause, many very competent and successful women with no prior history of attentional problems report onset of chronic difficulty with focusing attention, organization, and excessive forgetfulness," said Yale psychologist Thomas E. Brown, a senior investigator in the study. "This study shows that a medication used for ADHD may be quite helpful in alleviating those difficulties."

Source: Yale University