Highlights
- •In a randomized, sham-controlled trial of stellate ganglion blockade, decreases in vasomotor symptoms related to increases in verbal memory.
- •Stellate ganglion blockade may confer secondary benefits to memory.
- •Broadly the findings suggest a possible link between physiologic vasomotor symptoms and memory problems in midlife women.
Abstract
Objectives
In a pilot randomized clinical trial of active stellate ganglion blockade (SGB) versus
sham control, SGB significantly reduced the frequency of reported moderate to severe
vasomotor symptoms (VMS) and the frequency of physiologic VMS measured using ambulatory
skin conductance monitors. Here we examine secondary effects of SGB on verbal learning
and memory.
Study design
In a randomized, sham-controlled study, 36 women met eligibility criteria for cognitive
assessments, of whom 17 were randomized to receive fluoroscopy-guided SGB and 19 to
sham control.
Main outcome measures
At baseline and three months post-treatment, women completed tests of verbal learning
and memory (primary outcome) and other cognitive measures and also wore an ambulatory
monitor for 24 h to measure physiologic VMS and VMS reported in real time.
Results
Verbal learning improved following active SGB (p < 0.05) but not sham treatment; however, the interaction between group and time was
not significant (p values 0.13-0.20). Two secondary cognitive measures improved only
in the sham group. Improvements in physiologic VMS correlated significantly with improvements
in verbal learning (r = 0.51, p < 0.05).
Conclusions
SGB might confer benefits to memory in relation to the magnitude of improvement in
physiologic VMS. Broadly these findings suggest a possible link between physiologic
VMS and memory problems in midlife women.
Abbreviations:
SGB (Stellate Ganglion Blockade), CES-D (Center for Epidemiological Studies − Depression Scale), CVLT (California Verbal Learning Test), VMS (vasomotor symptoms)Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 16, 2016
Accepted:
July 14,
2016
Received in revised form:
July 11,
2016
Received:
May 19,
2016
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
