nafarelin and Memory-Disorders

To study the effect of GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) treatment on memory and to assess the role of psychological factors.. A randomized prospective study.. An academic teaching hospital.. Women with endometriosis and infertility or endometriosis alone.. Memory Observation Questionnaire, Profile of Mood States, Health Concerns scale, a weekly diary of adverse effects.. Perceived memory functioning decreased during GnRH-a administration and by the final week of treatment 44% of women reported moderate to marked impairment in comparison to community norms. Prospective memory was most affected and withdrawal of GnRH-a treatment resulted in a return to normal memory functioning. Impairment was not related to excessive health concerns or mood changes and was uncorrelated with other adverse effects.. Memory disruption may be a more common side effect of GnRH-a treatment than currently is recognized. Problems were temporary and more likely a result of rapid estrogen depletion than a consequence of mood, somatic distress, or personality factors.

Topics: Adult; Endometriosis; Estradiol; Female; Humans; Leuprolide; Memory Disorders; Nafarelin; Prospective Studies

A survey was conducted to determine the occurrence of short-term memory loss in patients using nafarelin acetate nasal spray.. A list of all patients receiving nafarelin acetate from our pharmacy over a four-month period was generated. We contacted and surveyed 16 women.. Each patient was asked to repeat three words at the beginning of the survey and after a series of questions, each patient was asked to recall the three words. Patients were also asked if they believed that their memory was affected by nafarelin acetate nasal spray.. Eleven patients (69 percent) recalled three words, 3 (19 percent) recalled two words, and 2 (13 percent) recalled one word at the conclusion of the survey. Nine of 16 patients (56 percent) reported some type of memory difficulty.. Nafarelin acetate nasal spray may adversely affect short-term memory. This effect is not documented in current literature and further investigation is warranted in the possible relationship between gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists, estrogen deficiency, menopause, and short-term memory. Our survey also demonstrates the significance of communication between pharmacists and patients on newly marketed medications.

Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Administration, Intranasal; Adult; Endometriosis; Female; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Memory Disorders; Memory, Short-Term; Nafarelin; Surveys and Questionnaires