Two Studies Link Menopause Hormone Therapy to 16% Lower Alzheimer’s Risk
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Aug 26
Two Studies Link Menopause Hormone Therapy to 16% Lower Alzheimer’s Risk
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Aug 26
Summary
Two recent studies added fresh evidence to the menopause debate, with one finding hormone therapy users were less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and another finding fewer Alzheimer’s-related brain changes in women who took estrogen.
A UK analysis of 183,450 postmenopausal women followed for 13 years found HRT users were 10% less likely to develop dementia and 16% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s; women with surgical menopause saw a 26% reduction.
Researchers say the theory is biologically plausible because estrogen may reduce brain inflammation, support the blood-brain barrier and help restrain amyloid-beta, a protein tied to Alzheimer’s.
Outside experts said both studies are observational rather than randomized clinical trials, making the findings suggestive rather than definitive and underscoring the need for larger placebo-controlled research.