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Can estrogen keep you smart? Evidence from clinical studies
1Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Que. bsherwin@ego.psych.mcgill.ca
Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience : JPN
|October 12, 1999
Summary
Estrogen plays a key role in maintaining women's memory, particularly verbal memory. This hormone may also help prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Memory decline is a common concern with aging in women.
- Estrogen's role in cognitive function is an area of active research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically analyze the biological plausibility of estrogen's link to memory in women.
- To review clinical evidence supporting the estrogen-memory connection.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE (1980-1998) and earlier key studies.
- Inclusion of sixteen prospective, placebo-controlled human studies.
Main Results:
- Estrogen administration was found to maintain specific aspects of memory in women.
- Neuropsychological tests with established reliability and validity supported these findings.
Conclusions:
- Estrogen specifically supports verbal memory in women.
- Estrogen may prevent or delay age-related memory deterioration.
- Evidence suggests estrogen may decrease Alzheimer's disease incidence or retard its onset.