Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Is not Related to Beta-Amyloid Deposition: Data from the Women's Healthy Ageing Project.

BACKGROUND: Research has indicated the neuroprotective potential of the Mediterranean diet. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet has shown preventative potential for Alzheimer's disease incidence and prevalence, yet few studies have investigated the impact of Mediterranean diet adherence on the hallmark protein; beta-amyloid. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between Mediterranean diet adherence and beta-amyloid deposition in a cohort of healthy older Australian women. DESIGN: This study was a cross-sectional investigation of participants from the longitudinal, epidemiologically sourced Women's Healthy Ageing Project which is a follow-up of the Melbourne Women's Midlife Health Project. SETTING: Assessments were conducted at the Centre for Medical Research, Royal Melbourne Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. F-18 Florbetaben positron emission tomography scanning was conducted at the Austin Centre for PET in Victoria, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and eleven Women's Healthy Ageing Project participants were included in the study. MEASUREMENTS: Mediterranean diet adherence scores for all participants were calculated from the administration of a validated food frequency questionnaire constructed by the Cancer Council of Victoria. Beta-amyloid deposition was measured using positron emission tomography standardised uptake value ratios. RESULTS: Gamma regression analysis displayed no association between Mediterranean diet adherence and beta-amyloid deposition. This result was consistent across APOE-ε4 +/- cohorts and with the inclusion of covariates such as age, education, body mass index and cognition. CONCLUSIONS: This study found no association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and beta-amyloid deposition in a cohort of healthy Australian women.

A comparison of Geriatric Depression Scale scores in older Australian and Japanese women.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of depressive symptoms in Australian and Japanese populations of community-dwelling older women using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). In addition, the relationship between lifestyle and health factors and higher ratings of depressive symptoms was also examined to determine if there were culturally consistent risk factors associated with higher depressive symptom scores. METHODS: A total of 444 community based women aged between 65 and 77 years completed a depressive symptom measure (GDS-15) and provided information on common lifestyle factors. The Australian sample (n = 222) were drawn from the Women's Healthy Ageing Project and the age-matched, Japanese sample from the Kumamoto Ageing Study of Mental Health (n = 222). The GDS was chosen to; (1) reduce the impact of physical symptoms associated with old age and, (2) reduce the inflation in scores that may result from the Japanese tendency to endorse somatic items more often than Western adults. RESULTS: Mean GDS total scores were significantly higher for the Japanese population 3.97 ± 3.69 compared with 1.73 ± 2.7 for Australian women. The percentages of women scoring in the normal; mild and moderate ranges for depression were 91, 7 and 2% for Australia and 67, 24 and 9% for Japan. Scores remained significantly higher for the Japanese cohort when controlling for lifestyle and health factors associated with depression. The analysis of lifestyle and health characteristics showed that the greatest difference between cohorts was in the area of living status, with more Australian women living with their partner and more than three times as many Japanese women living with their children. When the data for the countries was considered independently employment status affected the likelihood of higher depression scores in the Australian sample while heart disease and poor sleep impacted the risk for the Japanese population. CONCLUSIONS: Significantly more Japanese women scored within the mild and moderate ranges on the GDS compared with their Australian peers, even when controlling for possible confounding factors. Of the lifestyle and health factors assessed in this analysis no single variable was a common risk factor for higher depressive scores for both countries. The presence of cultural influences that may impact the risk of experiencing depressive symptoms, and culture specific patterns of item endorsement on depressive symptom measures, needs to be explored in more detail.

Flibanserin: a potential treatment for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in premenopausal women.

Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) is defined as a persistent or recurrent deficiency of sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity, which causes marked personal distress or interpersonal difficulty, and is not better accounted for by another psychiatric disorder or the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a medication) or medical condition. HSDD is believed to be the most common form of Female Sexual Dysfunction and is associated with emotional distress and relationship problems. No pharmacologic therapy is approved for the treatment of HSDD in premenopausal or naturally postmenopausal women. Flibanserin is a 5-HT(1A) agonist/5-HT(2A) antagonist that is under investigation as a treatment for HSDD in women. The aim of this article is to present an overview of the pharmacology, clinical efficacy and safety of flibanserin. Flibanserin is an investigational drug that is not licensed for any indication in any country.

Habitual physical activity is a meaningful predictor of well-being in mid-life women: a longitudinal analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To examine whether physical-activity patterns over a period of 4 years are associated with well-being. DESIGN: A sample of 399 women aged 50-60 years participated in the study. Measures included rate of physical activity and other life style behaviors, well-being, health status, and interpersonal stress. Sufficient and insufficient exercisers were identified, and the association of this dichotomy with well-being, along with the contribution of the other variables, was examined. RESULTS: The distribution of physical-activity patterns remained stable over the 4 years of the study, with 40% of the women exercising leisurely and 15-20% exercising vigorously four to seven times a week. Approximately 50% of the women were considered sufficiently active in terms of public recommendations. Random effects regression analysis revealed that sufficient exercise along with a low frequency of daily hassles, relatively few menopausal symptoms, and a low level of interpersonal stress significantly contributed to the variability of well-being. CONCLUSIONS: These data evoke the need for a better understanding of exercise behavior and its promising potential contribution to the well-being of middle-aged women.

The relationship of reports of aches and joint pains to the menopausal transition: a longitudinal study.

UNLABELLED: OBJECTIVES Part I: To determine factors associated with reported joint symptoms across the menopausal transition. Part II: To investigate the relationship between symptom reporting and radiological arthritis in postmenopausal women. DESIGN Part I: The Melbourne Women's Mid-life Health Project, commenced in 1991, is a population-based prospective study of 438 Australian-born women, aged 45-55 years and menstruating at baseline; they were interviewed annually over 8 years. The retention rate was 88% (n = 387). Part II: After 12 years of follow-up, 257 (57%) women returned for assessment and 224 agreed to undergo X-rays of their hands and knees. METHODS Part I: Annual fasting blood collection, physical measurements, and interviews including questions about bothersome aches or stiff joints in the previous 2 weeks. A score for this symptom was calculated from the product of the severity and frequency data. These data were analyzed using random-effects time-series regression models. Part II: X-rays were scored for evidence of osteoarthritis using a validated scale, by two investigators who were blinded to questionnaire results. RESULTS Part I: 'Aches and stiff joints' were the most commonly reported symptom and reporting increased over time in the longitudinal study. Variables significantly associated with reporting bothersome aches and stiff joints were high body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001), high negative mood (p < 0.01), not being employed (p < 0.001), and experiencing the menopausal transition (p < 0.05). A higher severity and frequency of this symptom were associated with BMI (p < 0.01), not being employed (p < 0.05) and high negative mood (p < 0.005). Part II: The relationship between radiological osteoarthritis and symptom reports approached statistical significance (p = 0.06). Knee osteoarthritis was significantly associated with symptom reports (p = 0.008) but not hand osteoarthritis (p = 0.2). CONCLUSION: Menopausal status, BMI, employment status and depressed mood were all associated with the experience of bothersome aches and stiff joints. Aches and stiff joints, common in postmenopausal women, are not necessarily indicative of radiological osteoarthritis.

Physician diagnosed arthritis, reported arthritis and radiological non-axial osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the question that best predicts radiographic evidence of non-axial osteoarthritis (OA). DESIGN: The Melbourne Women's Mid-life Health Project (MWMHP), commenced in 1991, is a population-based prospective study of 438 Australian-born. Two hundred and fifty-seven (57%) women remained in longitudinal assessment in 2002 and 224 (87%) women agreed to undergo X-rays of their hands and knees between 2002 and 2003. METHODS: Annually participants were asked about aches and stiff joints and arthritis or rheumatism. In the eleventh year of follow-up X-rays were scored for evidence of OA using a validated scale, by two investigators who were blinded to questionnaire results. Information on hormone therapy use, physical activity, mood, smoking, body mass index (BMI) and age were obtained by both self-administered and face-to-face questionnaires. RESULTS: Patient reported physician diagnosed arthritis was the best predictor of radiological OA (ROA). The question had a specificity of 64%, a positive predictive value of 57% and a negative predictive value of 71%. Even the most reliable question about arthritis still had a relatively low specificity for radiologically diagnosed OA. Reporting symptoms were significantly more common in participants who were depressed, those who had a higher negative affect and those with a higher BMI. CONCLUSION: In large epidemiological studies where questionnaire assessment of OA is required, the greatest accuracy is achieved by asking about physician diagnosed arthritis. Concurrent application of a validated scale for mood is important.

Moderate alcohol consumption contributes to women's well-being through the menopausal transition.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association of alcohol consumption with well-being in mid-aged Australian women, taking into account other lifestyle factors. METHODS: A prospective, observational study was carried out among 438 urban Australian women aged 45-55 years at baseline. They were assessed annually for 8 years using a questionnaire on health and lifestyle, including self-ratings of well-being and daily 'hassles'. Statistical analyses were performed using cluster and repeated measures analyses. RESULTS: About 80% of the women had consumed alcohol in the week preceding the interview. Alcohol intake was weakly associated with well-being overall (p = 0.094). Women who consumed alcohol at moderate levels had higher well-being scores than non-drinkers or heavy drinkers, however, provided they were also non-smokers and exercised weekly or more (p for interaction = 0.023) (21% of all study participants). Everyday symptoms and stresses had a negative impact on well-being (all p values < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Among women undergoing menopausal transition, well-being is positively associated with moderate alcohol consumption along with other lifestyle factors in a synergistic fashion, rather than any individual factor having a dominant or an independent effect.

A review of hormonal changes during the menopausal transition: focus on findings from the Melbourne Women's Midlife Health Project.

The menopause, defined as the permanent cessation of menstruation resulting from the loss of ovarian follicular activity, marks the end of natural female reproductive life. It is preceded by a period of menstrual cycle irregularity, the menopausal transition, which usually begins in the mid-40s and is conventionally divided into early and late phases. The endocrine changes, which underlie the transition, are predominantly the consequence of a marked decline in ovarian follicle numbers. The most significant changes include a decrease in early cycle inhibin B and in anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels. The decline in inhibin B results in an increase in FSH, which appears to be an important factor in the maintenance of estradiol (E2) concentrations until late in reproductive life. In the post-menopause, FSH levels are markedly raised, E2 levels are low, whereas inhibin B and AMH are undetectable. The menopausal transition is a time of marked hormonal instability. The Melbourne Women's Midlife Health Project has been an extremely productive study in which it has been possible to describe longitudinal changes in hormone levels throughout the menopause transition and to separate the effects of hormone change from the effects of ageing on a number of endpoints. This review provides the background for an accompanying manuscript in which a novel approach to modelling the hormonal changes during the transition is described.

Recommendations from a multi-study evaluation of proposed criteria for staging reproductive aging.

In 2001, the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop (STRAW) proposed bleeding and endocrine criteria for defining the early and late menopausal transition stages. Based on expert consensus, STRAW recommended a shorter interval of amenorrhea than the commonly used 90-day amenorrhea criteria for late transition and a >7-day change in cycle length for early transition. The ReSTAGE collaboration used prospective menstrual calendar data from four cohorts (TREMIN, Melbourne Women's Midlife Health Project, Seattle Midlife Women's Health Study, and Study of Women's Health Across the Nation) to quantitatively evaluate STRAW's recommendations. This empirical assessment supported the STRAW recommendations that (1) > or =60 days of amenorrhea be used to define the late menopausal transition and (2) that early transition is consistent with a persistent 7 or more day difference in length of consecutive cycles. Serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) values > or =40 IU/l was an independent marker of the transition and, when occurring together with a bleeding marker, increased prediction of final menstrual period. Such a FSH criterion could be incorporated into the STRAW paradigm to facilitate prediction of proximity of the final menstrual period.

A prospective study of outcomes after hysterectomy in mid-aged Australian-born women.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of hysterectomy in a mid-aged population-based sample of Australian-born women who were menstruating at baseline and followed for 11 years, and to compare the hysterectomized women with the non-hysterectomized women with regard to symptom reporting and health outcomes. METHODS: This was a 12-year prospective observational study of 438 women who at baseline were aged 45-55 years, not taking hormone therapy (HT) and had menstruated in the previous 3 months. Interviews were conducted face-to-face. RESULTS: After 11 years of follow-up, 39 (9%) women had experienced a hysterectomy, of whom 43.5% had the uterus only removed, 13% had the uterus plus one ovary and 43.5% had the uterus and both ovaries removed. Hysterectomies were performed on average 5.8 years prior to the year 11 interview. The mean age at hysterectomy was 54 years. Multivariate logistic regression analysis, including all co-variates, found that women who had experienced a hysterectomy (+/-oophorectomy) were significantly more likely to complain of trouble sleeping (p < 0.01), have problems with urine control (p < 0.05) and with their bowels (p = 0.07), have used HT (p < 0.05) and have a higher body mass index (p < 0.05). There were no significant associations between hysterectomy and sexuality or hot flush reporting. CONCLUSION: In a community-based sample of Australian-born women, the experience of a hysterectomy after the age of 45 years was associated with bladder, weight and sleeping problems 5-6 years after the surgery.

Comparative study of attitudes to eating between male and female students in the People's Republic of China.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to compare eating attitudes and lifestyles of male and female college students in China (Beijing). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The subjects of this study consisted of 217 male and 177 female college students. They were asked to fill out the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) and a lifestyle questionnaire. RESULTS: The percentages of those above the cutoff point on the EAT-26 for abnormal eating attitudes were 4.7% of male and 6.2% of female students. Body perception of being fat (distorted body image) was the factor most associated with abnormal eating attitudes. DISCUSSION: Weight related concern was prevalent amongst the Chinese students. This suggests that the culture of the beauty of thinness is common among young students in Beijing, particularly female students.

Intimate partner violence and health outcomes in mid-life women: a population-based cohort study.

AIM: To investigate the association between experience of intimate partner violence (IPV) and health outcomes measured prospectively. METHOD: Eleven-year prospective study of a population-based cohort of 438 Australian-born women aged 45-55 years at baseline (in 1991). Annual face-to-face interviews measured health status and quality of life; questionnaires on intimate partner physical, emotional and sexual violence and on experiences of childhood abuse completed in year 6 of follow-up. RESULTS: In year 11 of follow-up 233 women (mean age 59.9 SD 2.5 years) were interviewed of whom 62 (27%) reported experiencing physical and/or emotional and/or sexual IPV prior to the 6(th) year of follow-up. In bi-variate analysis a history of IPV was significantly associated with mental and sexual health variables and marital status at baseline and follow-up. Multivariate analysis found that at follow-up after allowing for baseline measures and other co-variates: Frequency of Sexual Activities was lower in women who had experienced IPV (p < 0.05); and negative mood was higher in women with the experience of IPV during the 12 months prior to completing the violence questionnaire (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: IPV was a significant contributor to mental and sexual health status measured prospectively in this cohort of mid-aged Australian-born women.

Factors affecting the prevalence of osteoarthritis in healthy middle-aged women: data from the longitudinal Melbourne Women's Midlife Health Project.

The prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) is greater in women then men. Weight, a factor strongly associated with osteoarthritis, is significantly increased over the menopausal transition. Despite the high prevalence of osteoarthritis, a disabling disease with limited treatment options, there is a paucity of studies in women. The longitudinal phase of the Melbourne Women's Midlife Health Project, is a population-based prospective study of 438 Australian born women who have been followed annually over 11 years. 257 (59%) of these women remained in longitudinal assessment at 11th year of follow-up and 224 of these women agreed to undergo X-rays of their knees and hands. In this study, X-rays were scored for evidence of osteoarthritis using a validated scale, by two investigators who were blinded to questionnaire results. Information on hormone therapy use, physical activity, smoking, BMI and age were obtained by both self-administered and face-to-face questionnaires. Results showed that one hundred and twenty-eight women (56%) had evidence of radiological OA. Forty-nine (21.6%) had evidence of radiological knee OA. One hundred and one (44.5%) had evidence of radiological hand OA. Compared to baseline, at 11th year of follow-up participants had put on weight (4 kg range -14 to 25 kg) and a larger proportion (25% vs. 40%) reported exercising frequently (P = 0.005). Physical activity and BMI were associated with higher prevalence of osteoarthritis in the final year of follow-up. Smoking was associated with a lower prevalence of radiological knee OA. The prevalence was 61% among never smokers compared to only 39% among those who smoked (P < 0.05). Total OA was associated with never having used hormone therapy (odds ratio 2.7; CI 1.1-6.9). There was a trend for increasing level of physical activity at ages 20-29 to be associated with an increased risk of knee OA (P value 0.03 for trend). In conclusion increasing age, BMI and history of more frequent physical activity in younger years were risk factors for radiological knee OA. In contrast, smoking appeared to be associated with less knee OA. Never having used hormone therapy was a risk factor for radiological hand and knee OA. Further work will be needed to determine whether modification of these factors can prevent the development of OA.

Factors associated with abnormal eating attitudes among female college students in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence rates of abnormal eating attitudes and associated risk factors among female Japanese college students. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study population was 7812 female college students in Tokyo. They were asked to fill out the Japanese version of EAT-26 and lifestyle questionnaires. RESULTS: 5.1% of the subjects had a total EAT-26 score above the cutoff point (>20). Multiple regression analysis found the most important factors associated with abnormal eating attitudes were distorted body image, fewer sleeping hours, irregular meal habits, cigarette smoking and more exercise. DISCUSSION: The prevalence of abnormal eating attitudes among female college students in this study was lower than that of Japanese female high school students and lower than that reported for college students of both western and non-western countries. Our results suggest that body image dissatisfaction may be the most important factor associated with abnormal eating behavior.

Mental health treatments and associated factors amongst mid-aged Melbourne women.

The aim of this study was to describe lifetime treatment rate and the treatment modalities used for psychiatric problems and to identify variables associated with the history of psychiatric treatment among mid-aged Melbourne women.A longitudinal observational study was carried out using a population-based sample of 438 mid-aged women interviewed annually for eight years. The baseline data on sociodemographic profiles and premenstrual symptoms, and history of exposure to violence obtained at year 6 were included in this analysis. All other variables including psychiatric treatment history, psychosocial and lifestyle variables, chronic medical conditions and mood score were obtained at year 8. We found 22.2% of the women in this study had ever taken psychotropic medication. Antidepressants were the most used drugs. History of hospitalization for psychiatric problems was reported by 15 women (3.9%). 27 of 387 women (7%) reported they had received other types of treatment for psychiatric problems such as counseling or psychotherapy. Of all variables taken from the questionnaire about the treatment, only the history of psychotropic medication had a high enough frequency for regression analysis. History of psychotropic drug use was associated with interpersonal stresses, poor self-rated health, and prior history of depressive change during the premenstrual period. Socio-demographic variables, exposure to violence, lifestyle factors, and chronic physical conditions were not associated with psychotropic drug use.

Self-reported arthritis and the menopause.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of self-reported arthritis in a population-based cohort of mid-aged women and to identify health, social and lifestyle factors associated with self-reported arthritis. DESIGN: Cross-sectional population-based survey. METHOD: Data were obtained from a telephone-administered questionnaire of 2001 Australian-born women between 45 and 55 years old and residing in Melbourne. Information was collected on demographics, lifestyle factors and health conditions. RESULTS: The most commonly reported symptom in this cohort was aches and stiff joints, reported by 51.7% of the women; 34.4% of participants reported they had been diagnosed with arthritis. More postmenopausal women (39%) reported that they were diagnosed with arthritis compared to premenopausal women (27%, p < 0.001). Women who reported arthritis were more likely to be older (odds radio (OR), 1.09; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.05-1.13), have a higher body mass index (OR, 1.04; CI, 1.02-1.07), be postmenopausal (OR, 1.88; CI, 1.33-2.66), have a higher negative mood (OR, 1.80; CI, 1.13-2.87), and report a decreased interest in sex (OR, 1.58; CI, 1.26-1.97). CONCLUSIONS: Aches and stiff joints are the most frequently reported symptom of mid-aged women. Reported arthritis is associated with postmenopausal status, age, body mass index, less interest in sex and lowered mood. Further longitudinal research is needed to determine the role of these factors in the development and impact of arthritis.

Serum C-reactive protein and plasma homocysteine levels are associated with hormone therapy use and other factors: a population-based study of middle-aged Australian-born women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations between C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine levels, use of hormone therapy (HT) and other factors. METHODS: A 12-year prospective study of 438 Australian-born women (Melbourne Women's Midlife Health Project), who at baseline were aged 45-55 years, had menstruated in the previous 3 months and were not taking HT. Fasting blood was collected in the 11th follow-up year for CRP, homocysteine, estradiol and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels. Physical measurements and face-to-face interviews obtained information on health and lifestyle variables. RESULTS: A total of 258 women (mean age 60 years) participated in the 11th follow-up year. Multiple regression analysis found that CRP levels were positively associated with body mass index (p < 0.001), HT use (p < 0.01), and negatively associated with statin use (p < 0.005) and exercising (p < 0.05). In postmenopausal women currently not using HT (n = 173) and after adjusting for body mass index, exercise and smoking, CRP was negatively associated with FSH levels (beta = -0.32, p < 0.05). Homocysteine levels were positively associated with smoking (p < 0.001) and negatively associated with HT use (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In middle-aged Australian-born women, HT use was associated with increased CRP and decreased homocysteine levels. High CRP levels were also associated with high relative weight, low exercise levels and no statin medication.

The menopausal transition: does it induce women's worries about aging?

OBJECTIVE: This study examines whether patterns of worries about aging change in women during the menopausal transition. DESIGN: A population-based sample of 261 Australian-born women aged 45-55 years at baseline participated in a longitudinal study. Data were collected at baseline and in the 5th year of annual follow-up interviews. Measures included the Attitudes to Aging Scale which is based on a scale developed by Kaufert and Syrotuik and contained the six-item version which examines worries about specific losses. Menopausal status was determined by menstrual status as follows: late reproductive, early menopausal transition, late menopausal transition, and postmenopause. RESULTS: Data analysis carried out by cross-tabulation found that 36% of participants did not change their attitudes over the 5-year follow-up period, 30% became more worried and 33% became less worried and there was no significant difference between those who had or had not experienced the menopausal transition. There was no significant association between the scores on the Attitudes to Aging Scale and changes in the self-rated health, work status and marital status. CONCLUSION: The menopausal transition does not induce an overall increase in worries about aging.

The menopausal transition: a 9-year prospective population-based study. The Melbourne Women's Midlife Health Project.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the natural history of the menopause in Australian-born women. To determine the hormonal changes relating to the menopausal transition (MT) and how these affect quality of life, bone mineral density, body composition, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and memory. DESIGN: A 9-year prospective, observational study of a population-based sample of 438 Australian-born women aged 45-55 years at baseline. By the 9th year, the retention rate was 88%. Interviews, blood sampling, menstrual calendars, quality of life and physical measures were taken annually, and bone mineral density was measured bi-annually. RESULTS: The late MT coincides with changes in estradiol, follicle stimulating hormone, and free testosterone index, decreases in bone density and mastalgia, and increases in central adiposity, vasomotor symptoms, insomnia and vaginal dryness. Levels of total testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate are unchanged by the MT. An increase in CVD risk was associated with increases in weight and free testosterone index and a decrease in estradiol. Depressed mood is increased by symptoms and by stressors occurring in the MT. Sexual functioning significantly deteriorates with the MT and aging, but relational factors have major effects. Menstrual cycles became more variable and longer closer to the final menstrual period. CONCLUSIONS: As hormonal changes during the MT directly or indirectly adversely affect quality of life, body composition and CVD risk, maintenance of health parameters in the premenopausal years is crucial for a healthy postmenopause.

Serum lipids and memory in a population based cohort of middle age women.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relation between serum lipids and memory in a healthy middle age cohort of women. METHODS: For 326 women in the Melbourne Women's Midlife Health Project aged 52-63 years, serum lipids were measured annually, and memory was assessed during the eighth annual visit. RESULTS: There was a small but significant association between current low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations and memory; for total cholesterol (TC) the association approached significance. Better memory was associated with positive changes in TC and LDL-C based on lipid measurements three years, but not six years, earlier. Memory performance was lowest among women in the lowest quartile of current LDL-C values and among women whose LDL-C levels declined over the previous three years. High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride concentrations were unassociated with memory. The association between memory and TC and LDL-C was primarily related to immediate recall and not delayed recall performance on the word list task. Low cholesterol has been linked with depression, but lipid measures and self-rated mood were unrelated. CONCLUSIONS: Higher serum concentrations of LDL-C, and relatively recent increases in TC and LDL-C concentrations, are associated with better memory in healthy middle age women. Possible cognitive effects of cholesterol reduction should be considered in future studies of lipid lowering agents.