Alzheimer's Risk Lower for Women on Estrogen-Only Menopausal Hormone Therapy

A recent study found that women who used estrogen-only menopausal hormone therapy had a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The research, led by Jennifer Bruno of Stanford University, revealed that estrogen therapy was associated with less amyloid pathology in both plasma and cerebrospinal fluid. Additionally, estrogen-only MHT users had lower odds of dementia diagnosis and memory or functional decline symptoms.

The study, which analyzed data from 21,462 women, confirmed that MHT exerts a modest but meaningful protective effect on the risk of Alzheimer's pathology. However, the researchers noted that the study's findings may not apply to all women, as it focused on those who had undergone hysterectomy and were prescribed unopposed estrogen.