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| HRT 'might ward off Alzheimer's' | HRT 'might ward off Alzheimer's' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may protect post-menopausal women against memory loss and Alzheimer's disease. | Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may protect post-menopausal women against memory loss and Alzheimer's disease. |
| A study found women's memories are affected when their bodies stop producing the hormone oestrogen - as happens at the menopause. | A study found women's memories are affected when their bodies stop producing the hormone oestrogen - as happens at the menopause. |
| However, London's Institute of Psychiatry found memory recovered when hormone supplies were restored - the effect achieved by HRT. | However, London's Institute of Psychiatry found memory recovered when hormone supplies were restored - the effect achieved by HRT. |
| Women have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's than men. | Women have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's than men. |
| There may be a critical window of time around the menopause when HRT may have a beneficial effect in protecting against Alzheimer's dementia Dr Michael CraigInstitute of Psychiatry | There may be a critical window of time around the menopause when HRT may have a beneficial effect in protecting against Alzheimer's dementia Dr Michael CraigInstitute of Psychiatry |
| It is estimated that around 450,000 women in the UK have the disease. | It is estimated that around 450,000 women in the UK have the disease. |
| There is a theory that oestrogen may help prevent the build up of damaging protein tangles in the brain which are thought to trigger cell death, and Alzheimer's. | There is a theory that oestrogen may help prevent the build up of damaging protein tangles in the brain which are thought to trigger cell death, and Alzheimer's. |
| But when supplies of the hormone are abruptly cut at the menopause, women may become more vulnerable. | But when supplies of the hormone are abruptly cut at the menopause, women may become more vulnerable. |
| A major US study found no evidence of a protective effect from HRT - and even suggested the combined form of the treatment might increase the general risk of dementia. | A major US study found no evidence of a protective effect from HRT - and even suggested the combined form of the treatment might increase the general risk of dementia. |
| However, UK experts argue that this study focused on older women, who did not receive HRT immediately after the menopause. | However, UK experts argue that this study focused on older women, who did not receive HRT immediately after the menopause. |
| Fibroid surgery | Fibroid surgery |
| The latest research was carried out on 30 young, pre-menopausal women who were having surgery for benign womb growths called fibroids. | The latest research was carried out on 30 young, pre-menopausal women who were having surgery for benign womb growths called fibroids. |
| The patients were given a drug which shrinks the fibroids, but which also temporarily shuts down the ovaries, producing a state similar to the menopause. | The patients were given a drug which shrinks the fibroids, but which also temporarily shuts down the ovaries, producing a state similar to the menopause. |
| Each woman was given a memory test before, during and after treatment, when their ovaries were once again producing oestrogen. | Each woman was given a memory test before, during and after treatment, when their ovaries were once again producing oestrogen. |
| Average scores were similar before and after treatment, but dipped by about 10% while the women's ovaries were shut down. | Average scores were similar before and after treatment, but dipped by about 10% while the women's ovaries were shut down. |
| The researchers also recorded reduced levels of activity in an area of the brain called the pre-frontal cortex during treatment, which is linked to learning and memory. | The researchers also recorded reduced levels of activity in an area of the brain called the pre-frontal cortex during treatment, which is linked to learning and memory. |
| Lead researcher Dr Michael Craig said evidence was growing that sex hormones, such as oestrogen, did have a direct effect on the brain. | Lead researcher Dr Michael Craig said evidence was growing that sex hormones, such as oestrogen, did have a direct effect on the brain. |
| He said: "There may be a critical window of time around the menopause when HRT may have a beneficial effect in protecting against Alzheimer's dementia. | He said: "There may be a critical window of time around the menopause when HRT may have a beneficial effect in protecting against Alzheimer's dementia. |
| However, Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, said: "This is not conclusive evidence and women are not advised to start HRT specifically to protect against dementia since it can have side-effects and possibly increase the risk of stroke." | However, Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, said: "This is not conclusive evidence and women are not advised to start HRT specifically to protect against dementia since it can have side-effects and possibly increase the risk of stroke." |
| The Alzheimer's Society said it was unclear whether HRT had a direct effect on the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease or whether women taking HRT are also doing other things to preserve their health and reduce their risk. | |
| "Alzheimer's Society does not recommend taking HRT as a way of reducing the risk of dementia. | |
| Using HRT as a treatment or preventative measure against Alzheimer's disease would mean giving drugs, which can produce side-effects, to women without symptoms. | |
| "We need further trials, involving more participants and long term follow-up to fully evaluate the real long term risks and benefits of HRT." | |
| Certain forms of HRT have been linked to an increased risk of cancer and heart disease, although once again the evidence is not clear cut. | Certain forms of HRT have been linked to an increased risk of cancer and heart disease, although once again the evidence is not clear cut. |