Can estrogen keep you smart? Evidence from clinical studies.
OBJECTIVE
To review and critically analyze the biological plausibility of and the clinical empirical evidence concerning a link between estrogen levels and memory in women.


METHODS
MEDLINE search of the literature published from 1980 to 1998. Studies published between 1952 and 1980 that were known to the author were also included.


METHODS
Sixteen prospective, placebo-controlled studies in humans.


RESULTS
Most of the studies that used neuropsychological tests with known reliability and validity found that estrogen maintained aspects of memory in women.


CONCLUSIONS
Estrogen specifically maintains verbal memory in women and may prevent or forestall the deterioration in short- and long-term memory that occurs with normal aging. There is also evidence that estrogen decreases the incidence of Alzheimer disease or retards its onset or both.
Sherwin
B B
BB
Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Que. bsherwin@ego.psych.mcgill.ca
D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D008593:Menopause / Q000502:physiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies
D004967:Estrogens