Hormone therapy may protect against Alzheimer's disease

Research published last week suggests that oestrogen may significantly delay the onset and reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. A New York based study found that women who had taken oestrogen after the menopause for 10 years or more were between 30% and 40% less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than women who had never had hormone treatment (Lancet 1996:348:429-32). And if women who had taken oestrogen did develop Alzheimer's disease it started significantly later in life. The researchers followed up 1124 elderly women, with an average age of 74 years, who were assessed as non-demented by means of an interview, examination, and an hour of neuropsychological tests. During follow up, which ranged from …