According to a new, large-scale study conducted in the UK, the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) significantly reduces the risk of developing dementia. Scientists found that postmenopausal women who took hormonal medications had a 10% lower likelihood of being diagnosed with dementia and a 16% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease (the most common form).<\/p>\n
The paper, published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia<\/i>, is the largest study of its kind. Researchers monitored the medical data of 183,450 women from the UK Biobank database for an average of 13 years (during which nearly 4,000 cases of dementia were identified).<\/p>\n
The study showed that the therapy had a particularly positive effect in specific groups:<\/p>\n
Surgical menopause:<\/b> Women who underwent menopause as a result of surgical intervention had a 26% reduced risk of developing dementia.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Naturally low estrogen levels:<\/b> Women with lower exposure to estrogen due to late onset of menstruation or premature menopause experienced a 16% reduction in risk.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Genetic factor:<\/b> The positive association was particularly strong among women carrying the ApoE4 gene (the primary genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease). As explained by Professor Anne-Marie Minihane of the University of East Anglia, this is a crucial finding, as carriers of this gene belong to a high-risk group and have few prevention options available.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n As Professor Minihane notes, hormone replacement therapy is traditionally prescribed to alleviate menopause symptoms (such as hot flashes and night sweats), but new data shows it can also play a major role in preserving long-term cognitive health in women. Notably, women have a higher likelihood of developing dementia than men, which is linked to longer life expectancy and the impact of menopause on brain metabolism.<\/p>\n Study Limitations and Expert Recommendations<\/b><\/p>\n Scientists emphasize that these results are based on observational data rather than a randomized clinical trial. Consequently, proving a direct cause-and-effect relationship is not yet possible. For instance, therapy users in the study had, on average, a higher level of education than non-users, which might also influence dementia risk.<\/p>\n According to Dr. Susan Kohlhaas, representative of Alzheimer’s Research UK, this study alone is not sufficient to prescribe hormone therapy directly for dementia prevention. Until further clinical trials clarify the exact mechanisms and effectiveness of specific therapy forms, experts advise women to consult their doctor before starting or stopping any treatment to properly weigh individual benefits and risks.<\/p>\n