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Hormone therapy & cognitive preservation--now a distant memory!

Article Excerpt
OF ALL THE PROVEN NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES that result from long-term hormone therapy (HT) use, surely one of the most shocking is an increased risk of both dementia and mild cognitive impairment. (1) What's most troubling is that, while a few observational studies have pointed to HT's potential benefit in preserving cognitive function and preventing dementia, proponents of HT promoted this unproven benefit to almost the same degree as HT's unproven heart disease prevention benefits. The negative and unexpected side effects of HT on brain functioning were confirmed by the results of the two hormone therapy trials in the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study (reported in 2003 and 2004) that explored HT's impact on women's cognitive functioning.

The idea that hormones might positively benefit brain functioning was suggested by laboratory data that hinted estrogen might aid postmenopausal women through processes that improved neuronal growth, nerve cell branching, and glucose use. The issue was complicated by the fact that the observational studies on this possible link often attempted to gauge HT's cognitive effects on women who suffered from bothersome menopausal symptoms. It's long been known that hormones relieve hot flashes and night sweats, thereby making it easier to sleep well--which helps people function better in general. So, there was no way to assess whether the perceived cognitive benefit resulted from a direct effect on women's brain function, or just from symptom relief and better rest.

Thus, a clear-cut benefit from estrogen on cognitive function in perimenopausal and...

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