Estrogen Therapy Linked to Lower Dementia Risk in Major Study of Over 21,000 Women

Women who used estrogen-only hormone therapy later in life were less likely to develop dementia and showed fewer signs of Alzheimer’s disease in their brains, according to a large study of more than 21,000 participants. Hormone therapy use was linked to 39% lower odds of a dementia diagnosis and 35% lower odds of Alzheimer’s-related brain changes at autopsy, including amyloid plaques and tau tangles. Biomarker tests also suggested less amyloid buildup among hormone therapy users.

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A comprehensive analysis involving more than 21,000 participants has found that women receiving estrogen-only hormone therapy in later years demonstrated substantially lower rates of dementia diagnosis and reduced markers of Alzheimer’s disease pathology. The research revealed a 39% decrease in dementia diagnosis odds among hormone therapy users compared to non-users, alongside a 35% reduction in odds of Alzheimer’s-related brain changes detected during autopsy examinations.

Pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease—including amyloid plaques and tau tangles—appeared less frequently in the brains of women who had used hormone therapy. Biomarker testing further supported these findings by indicating reduced accumulation of amyloid protein among those with a history of estrogen replacement use, pointing to a protective effect at the molecular level.

The findings suggest potential neuroprotective benefits of estrogen-only hormone therapy when initiated during the later stages of a woman’s life, though researchers cautioned that additional investigation is necessary to establish causality and determine optimal treatment protocols.

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