Oophorectomy, menopause, estrogen treatment, and cognitive aging: clinical evidence for a window of opportunity.

ABSTRACT: The neuroprotective effects of estrogen have been demonstrated consistently in cellular and animal studies but the evidence in women remains conflicted. We explored the window of opportunity hypothesis in relation to cognitive aging and dementia. In particular, we reviewed existing literature, reanalyzed some of our data, and combined results graphically. Current evidence suggests that estrogen may have beneficial, neutral, or detrimental effects on the brain depending on age at the time of treatment, type of menopause (natural versus medically or surgically induced), or stage of menopause. The comparison of women who underwent bilateral oophorectomy with referent women provided evidence for a sizeable neuroprotective effect of estrogen before age 50 years. Several case-control studies and

SUBMITTER: Rocca WA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3046246 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature