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Estrogen replacement therapy is associated with less progression of subclinical structural brain disease in normal
Ian A Cook1, Melinda L Morgan, Jennifer J Dunkin
1UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine Los Angeles, CA 90024-1759, USA. icook@ucla.edu
Background:
Cortical atrophy, central atrophy, deep white-matter hyperintensities, and periventricular hyperintensities are reported in normal aging.
Objectives:
We examined the effects of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) on these forms of 'subclinical structural brain disease' (SSBD) in normal, postmenopausal women in a pilot, naturalistic, longitudinal study of 15 subjects.
Methods:
Two assessments were performed at least two years apart, with volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neuropsychological testing.
Results:
Women receiving open-label ERT showed significantly less progression of SSBD than those who did not.
Conclusions:
The association between reduced SSBD progression and ERT suggests this intervention could help preserve normal brain structure in healthy elderly women.