Alzheimer and its Underlying Factors in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Narrative Review

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disease, is the most common type of dementia. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with metabolic and hormonal disorders, obesity, inflammation, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and an elevated risk of mood disorders and depression. Therefore, patients with this syndrome may be exposed to cognitive and memory disorders, followed by AD. The aim of this review was to focus on the cognitive function, memory, and the risk of dementia and AD in women with PCOS and to identify the factors affecting the risk of progression to these complications in women with this syndrome. Reviewing the literature on the relationship between PCOS and the occurrence of cognitive and memory disorders showed that several disorders linked with PCOS and some drugs used to treat these patients could positively or negatively affect the risk of the development of cognitive and memory disorders. While some reports have declared positive effects for androgens and oral contraceptive drugs on cognitive function and memory, others have argued that insulin resistance, obesity, inflammation, oxidative stress, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and depression may negatively affect cognitive and memory function in women with PCOS, predisposing them to AD. More studies are needed to estimate the risk of cognitive disorders, memory deficits, and AD in women with PCOS and to identify the factors involved in the development of these disorders. The early identification of PCOS patients at risk of developing these cognitive disorders can help prevent the progression of these conditions and appropriately treat them.