Role of Micronutrient Levels on Cognitive Function and Quality of Life in Perimenopausal Women

Micronutrient sufficiency is essential for maintaining normal cognitive function. Insufficient levels of vitamin D and B and minerals such as iron, magnesium, and zinc have been associated with cognitive decline in menopausal women. However, these factors have not been studied extensively during the perimenopausal period, which may be critical for promoting optimal health during menopause. Understanding the significance of these factors is crucial for developing public health guidelines aimed at raising awareness and preventing health issues such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and stroke. Methods for estimation of micronutrients will be optimized using standard and pilot run of 5-10 blood samples. Participants who come for routine checkups and have routine blood investigations will be recruited after obtaining informed consent from the OBG department, KMC Manipal. Sociodemographic data, including dietary patterns and habits, stress, and physical activity, will be collected from the participants. Quality of life will be assessed using the MENQOL questionnaire. Cognitive assessment will be performed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment tool (MoCA) with the help of a Speech-language pathologist. Kannada-making and verbal learning tests will be used to assess cognitive function. Additional 4ml of blood samples will be collected during their routine blood investigation, or leftover samples will be obtained from the lab in charge after completing requested lab investigations by producing a patient consent form. Serum samples will be separated from blood and stored at -20°C to analyze nutritional biomarkers. Oxidative and mitochondrial stress markers will be assessed.