Estrogen replacement therapy is associated with less progression of subclinical structural brain disease in normal elderly women: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Cortical atrophy, central atrophy, deep white-matter hyperintensities, and periventricular hyperintensities are reported in normal aging.


OBJECTIVE
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.
UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine Los Angeles, CA 90024-1759, USA. icook@ucla.edu
Ian A
IA
Cook
Melinda L
ML
Morgan
Jennifer J
JJ
Dunkin
Steven
S
David
Elise
E
Witte
Robert
R
Lufkin
Michelle
M
Abrams
Susan
S
Rosenberg
Andrew F
AF
Leuchter
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects