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S1–01–04: Estrogens / endogeneous & exogeneous
Author(s) -
Yaffe Kristine
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2006.05.009
Subject(s) - dementia , estrogen , cognitive decline , cognition , endogeny , medicine , observational study , disease , amygdala , hippocampus , clinical trial , harm , psychology , psychiatry , social psychology
Cognitive impairment affects at least 10% of elders aged 65 years and older, increasing in prevalence to 50% of elders 85 years of age and older. In hopes of identifying agents that may prevent cognitive impairment, there has been tremendous interest in the role of both exogenous and endogenous hormones and risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and pre-clinical cognitive decline, especially in women. Indeed, estogen receptors (ER) (both ER and ER ) are located throughout the brain, especially in regions involved in learning and memory such as the hippocampus and amygdala. However, studies in women involving estrogens have been conflicting with the predonderance of observational studies suggesting benefit and the randomized trials suggesting no benefit and possible harm. We will review the current evidence of the effect of exogenous estrogen and the risk of developing dementia. In addition, we will discuss results from studies of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) and highlight areas of future research with these and other novel estrogenic compounds. We will also review the literature on endogenous estrogens and cognitive function and risk of AD and suggest future directions for research.