Women who took estrogen-only hormone therapy after menopause were found to have fewer Alzheimer's-related brain changes at autopsy, according to a new study.
The Research
Neuroscientist Hadi Hosseini of Stanford University and his team analyzed data from over 5,000 women over age 50, including autopsies from those who donated their brains. They focused on the 7% who used estrogen-only therapy, typically prescribed after hysterectomy. The team looked for three hallmark Alzheimer's markers: amyloid plaques, tau tangles, and neuritic plaques. Results published in Neurology on August 12 showed that estrogen-only users had 35% lower odds of severe Alzheimer's pathology compared to non-users. They also had lower amyloid levels in blood and cerebrospinal fluid while alive, along with fewer memory problems.
Why It Matters
Women are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's, and prior hormone therapy studies have been conflicting. This is the first to use postmortem gold-standard diagnostics. "This study adds an important piece to the evolving evidence on menopausal hormone therapy and brain health," says neurologist Gayatri Devi of Zucker School of Medicine. The findings suggest estrogen might reduce amyloid production or help clear it, but more research is needed, especially on combined estrogen-progestogen therapy, which is more common.
What You Can Do
While these results are promising, they don't prove estrogen prevents Alzheimer's. For brain health, maintain a balanced diet, regular exercise, and cognitive engagement. Discuss hormone therapy risks and benefits with your doctor, and stay updated on future trials.
Source: Science News
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