Effect of postmenopausal hormone therapy on cognitive function: the Heart and Estrogen/progestin Replacement Study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Cardiology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Cognitive decline is a concern for aging populations.
• Postmenopausal hormone therapy (HT) has been investigated for various health benefits.
• The impact of HT on cognitive function in women with cardiovascular disease is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of postmenopausal hormone therapy on cognitive function in older women with coronary heart disease.
• To assess cognitive performance changes after 4 years of conjugated estrogen plus medroxyprogesterone acetate versus placebo.

Main Methods:

• The study utilized data from the Heart and Estrogen/progestin Replacement Study (HERS), a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
• Cognitive function was assessed in 517 women in the hormone group and 546 in the placebo group using six standardized tests.
• Cognitive function was measured at the end of the 4.2-year follow-up period; baseline measurements were not taken.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in overall cognitive function were observed between the hormone therapy and placebo groups.
• Women receiving hormone therapy showed significantly worse scores on the Verbal Fluency test compared to the placebo group (P = 0.02).
• These findings remained consistent after adjusting for confounders and analyzing only adherent participants.

Conclusions:

• Four years of postmenopausal hormone therapy did not enhance cognitive function in older women with coronary heart disease.
• The study suggests potential negative effects on verbal fluency in this population.
• Further research is needed to determine if these findings apply to postmenopausal women without pre-existing cardiovascular disease.