Decrement in sustained attention and working memory in young, treatment-naïve women with polycystic ovary syndrome: Preliminary findings.

Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder associated with hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance. Although its reproductive and metabolic consequences are well established, research on the impact of PCOS on cognitive function remains inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the cognitive profiles across multiple domains in young, treatment-naïve patients with PCOS. Method: This cross-sectional study included 35 patients with PCOS (aged 18-35 years) and 30 age-matched healthy controls from Northern India. Participants underwent standardized computer-based psychometric testing using the Digit Span Test (DST), Trail Making Test (TMT), and Continuous Performance Test-Identical Pairs (CPT-IP) to assess their short-term memory, executive function, and attention. Results: Patients with PCOS demonstrated significantly lower performance in all DST metrics, including Two-Error Maximal Length (TEML; p < .0001; Hedges' g = 2.18; CI: 1.57-2.80) and Mean Span (MS; p < 0.0001; Hedges' g = 2.43; CI = 1.79-3.07), indicating decreased short-term and working memory. In the CPT-IP, the PCOS group showed significantly reduced hit rates and lower sensitivity scores (d', p < .0001, Hedges' g = 2.38; CI = 1.74-3.02), reflecting deficits in sustained attention and stimulus discriminability. While the PCOS group took longer to complete the TMT task both in trails 1 and 2, the differences in executive functioning did not reach statistical significance (p > .05). Conclusions: Young, treatment-naïve North Indian women with PCOS exhibit distinct cognitive decrements, particularly in the short-term memory and attention domains. While these initial findings are striking, larger long-term studies are required to confirm the true extent of these cognitive shifts.