Postmenopausal women treated with raloxifene
Source: Yaffe K, et al. N Engl J Med 2001; 344:1,207-1,213.
Cognitive function was studied in 7,478 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis enrolled in the Multiple Outcomes of Raloxifene Evaluation (MORE) trial. Postmenopausal women who met criteria for osteoporosis were enrolled at 178 sites in 25 countries and randomized to receive raloxifene 60 mg or 120 mg or placebo daily for three years. There were about 2,500 women in each arm of the study. Cognitive testing was done for orientation, concentration, and memory; visuospatial scanning, sequential processing, motor speed, executive function, attention; and memory if the subject spoke English, French, or Spanish (4,424 women).
The mean age of the women at enrollment was 66 years. The mean cognitive scores were similar at baseline in the three groups of women. The scores improved slightly in all three groups during the study period but not significantly so. Four of the six tests showed no significant difference in cognitive function decline between the two raloxifene groups combined and the placebo group. The study did indicate a trend toward less cognitive decline on the two tests of verbal memory and attention. More women in the raloxifene groups than in the placebo group reported new or worsened hot flashes, but no correlation was shown between presence or absence of hot flashes and cognitive performance.
Study authors concluded that raloxifene treatment for three years does not affect overall cognitive scores in relatively young postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.
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