Paper

Estrogen replacement therapy is associated with less progression of subclinical structural brain disease in normal elderly women: a pilot study

  1. Ian A. Cook*,
  2. Melinda L. Morgan,
  3. Jennifer J. Dunkin,
  4. Steven David,
  5. Elise Witte,
  6. Robert Lufkin,
  7. Michelle Abrams,
  8. Susan Rosenberg,
  9. Andrew F. Leuchter

Article first published online: 25 JUN 2002

DOI: 10.1002/gps.644

Issue

International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry

International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry

Volume 17, Issue 7, pages 610–618, July 2002

Additional Information

How to Cite

Cook, I. A., Morgan, M. L., Dunkin, J. J., David, S., Witte, E., Lufkin, R., Abrams, M., Rosenberg, S. and Leuchter, A. F. (2002), Estrogen replacement therapy is associated with less progression of subclinical structural brain disease in normal elderly women: a pilot study. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 17: 610–618. doi: 10.1002/gps.644

Author Information

  1. UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine Los Angeles, CA

*UCLA NPI&H, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1759, USA.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 27 JUN 2002
  2. Article first published online: 25 JUN 2002
  3. Manuscript Received: 6 JAN 2002
  4. Manuscript Accepted: 6 JAN 2002

Funded by

  • National Institute of Mental Health. Grant Number: K08-MH01483, R01-MH40705, K02-MH01165
  • National Alliance for Research in Schizophrenia and Depression

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Keywords:

  • estrogen;
  • normal aging;
  • neuroimaging;
  • subclinical structural brain disease

Abstract

Background

Cortical atrophy, central atrophy, deep white-matter hyperintensities, and periventricular hyperintensities are reported in normal aging.

Objectives

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. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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