Not yet recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Cognitive Task Sensitivity in Perimenopause and Nutritional Status

This study aims to understand how perimenopause, the time before your periods stop completely, can affect your thinking skills like memory, focus, and concentration – often called 'brain fog'. Many women find these changes challenging. We also want to explore how what you eat might influence these brain-related symptoms during perimenopause. Although diet is thought to be important during menopause, we still need to learn more about its direct effect on 'brain fog'. This research will help identify specific mental tasks that can measure these changes and see if diet makes a difference in how well people perform these tasks. We're inviting women aged 40 to 55 to take part in this important research.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Sponsor

Northumbria University

Enrolment target

Start

01 Jun 2026

Estimated completion

01 Jul 2026

Perimenopause Cognitive Function in Perimenopause

What is this study about?

Many women experience changes in their thinking, memory, and concentration during perimenopause – the time leading up to menopause when your periods haven't stopped yet. These changes are often described as 'brain fog' and can be quite frustrating. We know that diet is important for overall health, especially during times of hormonal change, but we don't fully understand how it directly impacts these brain-related symptoms.

This study wants to better understand the connection between perimenopause, thinking skills, and diet. We're looking for clearer ways to measure these brain changes, and we want to see if dietary habits might influence how much 'brain fog' someone experiences. By participating, you could help us learn more about perimenopause and how to support women's brain health during this time.

We'll be comparing women who experience significant 'brain fog' with those who don't, to see if there are differences in how they perform on certain thinking tasks and what they eat. Your contribution is really valuable, as it helps build our knowledge and could lead to better advice and support for women going through perimenopause in the future.

Key takeaways

This study explores 'brain fog' during perimenopause and the impact of diet.
It's for women aged 40-55 who are still having periods.
Participation involves completing online questionnaires and thinking games.
No in-person visits are required, you complete it all from home.
You'll receive a £20 payment for your time.
Your contribution helps improve understanding of perimenopausal brain health.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for women aged between 40 and 55 years old who describe themselves as generally healthy. You should have been experiencing noticeable perimenopause symptoms, like hot flushes or mood changes, for at least the past six months. It's important that your periods haven't stopped for 12 consecutive months yet, as that would mean you're post-menopause. You also shouldn't smoke or vape.

We welcome people who are using oral contraception or hormone replacement therapy (HRT), as long as you've been on it consistently for at least three months. You can also take part even if you don't currently experience brain fog or cognitive symptoms. However, you can't be pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding.

There are a few reasons why you might not be able to join. If you've reached menopause (no periods for 12 months), or if your perimenopause symptoms are due to a medical treatment (like surgery), you won't be eligible. Also, if you've recently (in the last six months) taken certain medications like antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs, or other medicines that might affect your thinking, you might not be able to participate. If you've taken any nutritional supplements (other than Vitamin D) for more than a few days in the last month, you also won't be able to take part.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you a woman between 40 and 55 years old?
Do you feel generally healthy?
Have you been having perimenopause symptoms (like hot flushes or mood swings) for at least 6 months?
Have your periods NOT stopped for 12 months in a row yet?
Do you NOT smoke or vape?
Have you NOT taken any nutritional supplements (apart from Vitamin D) in the last month?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll first read detailed information about the study and give your consent online. Then, you'll answer some questions to check if you're eligible. If you have any doubts about your eligibility based on your answers, you'll be told to contact the researchers before going further.

Next, you'll complete several online questionnaires. These will ask about your personal details, your menopause symptoms (using something called the Menopause Rating Scale), how much 'brain fog' you're experiencing, and your exercise habits. After this, you'll be directed to a separate online platform called Cognimapp, which you can access on a mobile device. Here you'll do a short practice, and then complete a series of thinking and memory tasks.

Once you've finished the cognitive tasks, you'll then complete a diet questionnaire, which asks about what foods you typically eat. Finally, you'll receive an online explanation of the study and be asked for your email address so you can receive a £20 payment for your time. All parts of the study will be completed online from your own home, and there are no in-person visits.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may help us better understand how perimenopause affects thinking skills and the potential role of diet. This knowledge could lead to improved support for women experiencing 'brain fog'. There are no known physical risks associated with this study, as it only involves completing online questionnaires and cognitive tasks. You might find some of the questionnaires or tasks require concentration, but they are not designed to be overly difficult or stressful. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without having to explain why, and this will not affect your care or relationship with Patient.info.

Locations (1)

School of Psychology, Northumbria University
Verified postcode
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is 'perimenopause'?

Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause, when your body is making less of certain hormones. Your periods might become irregular, but they haven't stopped completely for a full year yet.

What is 'brain fog'?

Brain fog is a common term for feeling less sharp mentally. It can include problems with memory, difficulty concentrating, feeling distracted, or struggling to find the right words.

Will I have to visit a clinic?

No, all parts of this study are completed online from the comfort of your own home at a time that suits you.

How long will it take?

The study involves several online steps, including questionnaires and thinking tasks. You'll move through these at your own pace.

Will I get paid for taking part?

Yes, you will receive £20 as a thank you for your time and contribution to the research.

How to find out more

Fiona Dodd

f.dodd@northumbria.ac.uk +44 1912273377 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.