HRT could prevent Alzheimer's claims research

A new study has found that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) could protect against memory loss and Alzheimer's in old age.

Research at the Institute of Psychiatry has found that menopause affects the female brain, and says that HRT could help protect the brain against dementia after menopause.

The findings also point out those medical procedures that mimics the effects of the menopause worsens women's memories until a hormone flow resumes.

Dr Michael Craig, leader of the research team, said to the Times: "It’s further evidence that the brain systems that are involved in dementia are adversely affected by loss of ovarian function."

The study involved 30 young, premenopausal women who were being treated for benign womb growths. Patients are generally given a drug that shuts down the ovaries and induces a temporary menopause.

Dr Craig and his team were able to examine what happened when oestrogen supply was shut off and then again when the supply was reactivated to the brain.

The women were given a memory test, and the results fell to 65 per cent when the ovaries were not working and a maintained 75 per cent before and after, when oestrogen was present.

Previously HRT had been linked to dementia and Alzheimer's, with a study in 2003 by the American Medical Association, saying the HRT formula may create detrimental effects.


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