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Soy For Prevention of Memory Decline Still Under Investigation: Presented at NAMS

By Jerry Ingram

MIAMI BEACH, FL -- September 23, 2003 -- The practice of taking soy might help prevent decline in memory in postmenopausal women, though isoflavones do not appear to play a role, say researchers.

"Data from observational studies [on soy] is sparse and inconsistent. There have only been 3 small clinical trials with brief follow-up. Our study is an attempt to include a larger group with a longer follow-up period," said Donna Kritz-Silverstein, PhD, lead researcher, Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, United States. She presented the study findings in a poster session here on September 19^th, at the 14^th Annual Meeting of the North American Menopause Society.

"Our study found that isoflavones do not have a negative effect on cognitive function. In fact, they may have a favourable effect on cognitive function which may increase over time," added Dr. Kritz-Silverstein. However, she pointed out that these results may be due to a practice effect or protein effect or a combination of the two.

Investigators selected 210 women, aged 45 to 74 years, to participate in this double-blind, randomised clinical trial examining the health effects of soy. All were healthy, postmenopausal and were not receiving oestrogen. Two-hundred and two of the women were followed for 2 years.

Those on active treatment (n=105) consumed 40 g/d soy powder containing 86 mg isoflavones (soy+). Women on placebo (n=105) consumed soy powder without isoflavones (soy-). Seventy two women (n=36 soy+, n=36 soy-) had cognitive function assessed at baseline and at 12 and 24 months. These tests included Trails B, category fluency, and a paragraph recall test assessing immediate and delayed verbal memory.
Researchers found no significant differences between soy+ and soy- in cognitive function at 12 and 24 months. Both groups illustrated improvement in cognitive function that was greater after 24 than after 12 months. "Comparisons of percent change in cognitive function between baseline and 24-months showed greater improvement among soy+ than soy- women on Trails B (10.9% versus 4.7%), immediate verbal memory (27.2% versus 16.5%) and delayed verbal memory (39.9% versus 29.2%), but differences were not statistically significant," they concluded.


[Study title: Soy and Cognitive Function in Postmenopausal Women. Abstract S10]

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