Brain and cognition: Is there any case for improving cognitive function in menopausal women using estrogen treatment?

Minerva Ginecologica

Volumn 61, Issue 6, 2009, Pages 499-515

  Hogervorst, E ^a   Bandelow, S ^a  

^a LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY   (United Kingdom)

Author keywords

Alzheimer disease; Estrogens; Memory disorders; Menopause

Indexed keywords

CONJUGATED ESTROGEN; CONJUGATED ESTROGEN PLUS MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE; ESTROGEN; GONADOTROPIN; TESTOSTERONE;

AGING; ALZHEIMER DISEASE; CARDIOVASCULAR RISK; DEMENTIA; EDUCATIONAL STATUS; ESTROGEN THERAPY; FEMALE; GENETICS; HUMAN; LONG TERM CARE; MENOPAUSAL SYNDROME; MENOPAUSE; MORBIDITY; MORTALITY; MULTIINFARCT DEMENTIA; OVARIECTOMY; PREVALENCE; REVIEW; RISK FACTOR; SEX DIFFERENCE;

AGED; AGED, 80 AND OVER; ANIMALS; BRAIN; CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES; COGNITION DISORDERS; COMORBIDITY; CONFOUNDING FACTORS (EPIDEMIOLOGY); DEMENTIA; ESTROGEN REPLACEMENT THERAPY; FEMALE; HUMANS; LEUPROLIDE; MALE; MENOPAUSE; MENOPAUSE, PREMATURE; MIDDLE AGED; MODELS, BIOLOGICAL; OBESITY; PREVALENCE; RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS AS TOPIC; RISK FACTORS; SEX FACTORS;

EID: 77949512731     PISSN: 00264784     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: None     Document Type: Review

References (92)

1. Pike CJ, Carroll JC, Rosario ER, Barron AM. Protective actions of sex steroid hormones in Alzheimer's disease. Front Neuroendocrinol 2009;30:239-58.
2. Brinton RD. Estrogen regulation of glucose metabolism and mitochondrial function: therapeutic implications for prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Adv Drug Deliv Res 2008;60:1504-11.
3. Barrett-Connor E. Rethinking estrogen and the brain. J Am Geriatr Soc 1998;46:918-20.
4. Hogervorst E, Williams J, Budge M, Riedel W, Jolles J. The nature of the effect of female gonadal hormone replacement therapy on cognitive function in postmenopausal women: a meta-analysis. Neuroscience 2000;101:485-512.
5. Mulnard RA, Cotman CW, Kawas C, vanDyck CH, Sano M, Doody R et al. Estrogen replacement therapy for treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. JAMA 2000;283:1007-15.
6. Wang PN, Liao SQ, Liu RS, Uu CY, Chao HT, Lu SR et al. Effects of estrogen on cognition, mood, and cerebral blood flow in AD. Neurology 2000;54:2061-6.
7. Henderson VW, Paganini-Hill A, Miller BL, Elble RJ, Reyes PF, Shoupe D et al. Estrogen for Alzheimer's disease in women. Neurology 2000;54:295-301.
8. Espeland MA, Rapp SR, Shumaker SA, Brunner R, Manson JE, Sherwin BB et al. Conjugated equine estrogens and global cognitive function in postmenopausal women: Women's Health Initiative Memory Study. JAMA 2004;291:2959-68.
9. Rapp SR, Espeland MA, Shumaker SA, Henderson VW, Brunner RL, Manson JE et al. Effect of estrogen plus progestin on global cognitive function in postmenopausal women: the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2003;289:2663-72.
10. Shumaker SA, Legault C, Rapp SR, Thal L, Wallace RB, Ockene JK et al. Estrogen plus progestin and the incidence of dementia and mild cognitive impairment in postmenopausal women. JAMA 2003;289:2651-62.
11. Shumaker SA, Legault C, Kuller L, Rapp SR, Thal L, Lane DS et al. Conjugated equine estrogens and incidence of probable dementia and mild cognitive impairment in postmenopausal women: Women's Health Initiative Memory Study. JAMA 2004;291:2947-58.
12. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders, DSM-IV. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 1994.
13. Petersen RC, Smith GE, Waring SC, Ivink RJ, Tangalos EC, Kokmen E. Mild cognitive impairment. Arch Neurol 1999;56:303-8.
14. De Jager CA, Hogervorst E, Combrinck M, Budge MM. Sensitivity and specificity of neuropsychological tests for mild cognitive impairment, vascular cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. Psychol Med 2003;33:1039-50.
15. Kaduskiewicz H, Zimmerman T, Beck-Bornholdt H-P, vandenBussche H. Cholinesterase inhibitors for patients with AD. BMJ 2005;331(321-327).
16. Ferri CP, Prince M, Brayne C, Brodaty H, Fratiglioni L, Ganguli M et al. Global prevalence of dementia: a Delphi consensus study. Lancet 2005;366:2112-7.
17. Wimo A, Jonsson L, Winblad B. An estimate of the worldwide prevalence and direct costs of dementia in 2003. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2006;21:175-181.
18. Launer LJ, Andersen K, Dewy ME, Letenneur L, On A, Amaducci LA et al. Rates and risk factors for dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Neurology 1999;1:78-84.
19. Hogervorst E, Bandelow S, Combrinck M, Irani M, Smith AD. The validity and reliability of 6 sets of clinical criteria to classify Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia in post-mortem confirmed cases: added value of a decision-tree approach. Dementia 2003;16:170-80.
20. Landgren BM, Collins A, Csemiczky G, Bruger HG, Baksheev L, Robertson DM. Menopause transition. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2004;89:2763-9.
21. Hogervorst E, De Jager C, Budge MM, Smith AD. Serum levels of estradiol and testosterone and performance in different cognitive domains in healthy elderly men and women. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2004;29:405-21.
22. Thilers PP, Macdonald SW, Herlitz A. The association between endogenous free testosterone and cognitive performance: a population-based study in 35 to 90 year-old men and women. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2006;31:565-76.
23. Henderson VW, Buckwalter, J.G. Cognitive deficits of men and women with Alzheimer's disease. Neurology 1994;44:90-6.
24. Clifford A, Bandelow S, Yesufu A, Edwards L, Hogervorst E. Maintaining cognitive health in elderly women: an invited review. Women's Heakh 2009 [In press].
25. Grady D, Yaffe K, Kristof M, Lin F, Richards CE. Effect of postmenopausal hormone therapy on cognitive function: the Heart and Estrogen/progestin Replacement Study. AM J Med 2002;113:543-8.
26. Shumaker SA, Reboussin BA, Espeland MA, Rapp SR, McBee WL, Dailey M et al. The Women's Health Initiative Memory Study (WHIMS) a trial of the effect of estrogen therapy in preventing and slowing the progression of dementia. Control Clin Trials 1998;19:604-21.
27. Sarrel PM. Ovarian hormones and the circulation. Maturitas 1990;590:287-98.
28. Henderson VW. Hormone therapy and Alzheimer's disease: benefit or harm? Expert Opin Pharmacother 2004; 5:389-406.
29. Gibbs R. Animal studies that support estrogen effects on cognitive performance and the cholinergic basis of the critical period hypothesis. In: Hogervorst E, Henderson VW, Gibbs R, Brinton RD, editors. Hormones, cognition and dementia. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2009. p. 45-54.
30. Sherwin BB. Estrogen and/or androgen replacement therapy and cognitive functioning in surgically menopausal women. Psychoneuroendocrinology 1988;13:345-57.
31. Hogervorst E, Bandelow S, Moffat SD. Increasing testosterone levels and effects on cognitive function in elderly men and women. Current Drugs Targets: CNS Neurological Disorders 2005;4:531-40.
32. Henderson VW, Espeland MA, Hogan PE, Rapp SR, Stefanick ML, Freeman R et al. Prior use of hormone therapy and incident AD in the WHIMS. Neurology 2007;68:A205.
33. Zandi PP, Carlson MC, Plassman BL, Welsh-Bohmer KA, Mayer LS, Steffens DC et al. Hormone replacement therapy and incidence of Alzheimer disease in older women: the Cache County Study. JAMA 2002;288:2123-9.
34. Diaz-Brinton R. The healthy cell bias of estrogen action: mitochondrial bioenergetics and neurological implications. Trends Neurosci 2008;31:529-37.
35. Kang JH, Weuve J, Grodstein F. Postmenopausal hormone therapy and risk of cognitive decline in community dwelling women. Neurology 2004;63:101-7.
36. Petitti DB, Buckwalter JG, Crooks VC, Chiu V. Prevalence of dementia in users of hormone replacement therapy as defined by prescription data. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2002; 57:M532-8.
37. Brenner DE, Kukull WA, Stergachis A, Van Belle G, Bowen JD, McCormick WC et al. Postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy and the risk of Alzheimer's disease: a population based case-control study. Am J Epidemiol 1994;140:262-7.
38. Seshadri S, Zornberg G, Derby LE, Myers MW, Jick H, Drachman DA. Postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy and the risk of Alzheimer disease. Arch Neurol 2001;58:435-40.
39. Lockegaard E, Pedersen AT, Laursen P, Loft LP, Larsen S, Jorgensen T. The influence of HRT on the aging-related change in cognitive performance. Maturitas 2002;42:209-18.
40. Matthews KA, Kuller LH, Wing RR, Meilahn EN, Plantinga P. Prior to use of estrogen replacement therapy: are users healthier than nonusers ? Am J Epidemiol 1996;143:971-8.
41. Whalley LJ, Starr JM, Athawes R, Hunter D, Pattie A, Deary IJ. Childhood mental ability and dementia. Neurology 2000;55:1455-9.
42. Starr JM, Taylor M, Hart CL, Whalley LJ, Starr JM, Hole DJ et al. Childhood mental ability and blood pressure at midlife. J Hypertension 2004;22:893-7.
43. Whalley LJ. Brain ageing and dementia. Br J Psychiatry 2002;181:369-71.
44. Musicco M, Palmer K, Salamone G. Predictors of cognitive decline in AD. Neurology 2009;256:1288-95.
45. Hogervorst E. The short-lived effect of HRT on cognition function. In: Rasgon N, editor. The Effects of estrogen on brain fonction. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins Press; 2006. p. 46-78.
46. Erlingsson S, Herard S, Dahlqvist O, Lindström T, Länne T, Borga M et al. Men develop more insulin resistance and intra abdominal fat volume following weight gain by hyper-alimentation than women. Metabolism 2009 [In press].
47. Krotiewski M, Njorntrop P, Sjostrom L, Smith U. Impact of obesity on metabolism in men and women. J Clin Invest 1983;72:1150-62.
48. Budge MM, de Jager C, Hogervorst E, Smith AD; Oxford Project To Investigate Memory and Ageing (OPTIMA). Total plasma homocysteine, age, blood pressure and cognitive performance in older people. J Am Geriatr Soc 2002;50:2014-8.
49. Kivipelto M, Ngandu T, Laatikainen T, Winblad B, Soininen H, Tuomilehto J. Risk score for the prediction of dementia risk in 20 years among middle-aged people. Lancet Neurology 2006;5:735-41.
50. Kuk JL, Katzmaryk PT, Nichaman MZ, Church TS, Blair SN, Ross R. Visceral fat is an independent predictor of all cause mortality in men. Obesity 2006;14:336-41.
51. Bachman DL, Wolf PA, Linn RT, Knoefel JE, Cobb JL, Belanger AJ, White LR et al. Incidence of dementia and probable AD in a general population. Neurology 1993;43:515.
52. Skoog I. The relationship between blood pressure and dementia: a review. Biomed Pharmacother 1997;51:367-75.
53. Hogervorst E, Mendes Ribeiro H, Molyneux A, Budge M. Serum homocysteine, cerebrovascular risk factors and white matter low attenuation on CT scans in patients with post-mortem confirmed AD. Arch Neurology 2002;59:787-93.
54. Hogervorst E, Williams J, Combrinck M, Smith AD. Measuring serum oestradiol in women with Alzheimer's disease: the importance of the sensitivity of the assay method. Eur J Endocrinol 2003;148:67-72.
55. Fu J, Wang S, Lee S, Lu K, Juang K. A longitudinal study of cognition change during early menopausal transition in a rural community. Maturitas 2006;53:447-53.
56. Thilers PP. The association between steroid hormones and cognitive performance in adulthood. Stockholm: Karolinska Institutet; 2009.
57. Greendale GA, Huang MH, Wight RG, Seeman T, Luetters C, Avis NE et al. Effects of menopausal transition and hormone use on cognitive performance in midlife women. Neurology 2009;72:1850-7.
58. Wolf OT. HPA axis activity in aging women. In: Hogervorst E, Henderson VW, Gibbs R, Brinton RD, eds. Hormones, Cognition and Dementia. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2009:133-142.
59. Bandelow S, Espeland MA, Henderson VW, Resnick SM, Wallace RB, Coker LH et al. Identifying risk factors for cognitive change in WHIMS. In: Hogervorst E, Henderson VW, Brinton-Diaz RD, Gibbs R, editors. Hormones cognition and dementia. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2009. p. 11-24.
60. Rossouw JE, Prentice RL, Manson JE, Wu L, Barad D, Barnabei VM et al. Postmenopausal HT and risk for CVD by age and years since menopause. JAMA 2007;297:1465-77.
61. Yaffe K, Sawaya G, Lieberburg I, Grady D. Estrogen therapy in postmenopausal women. JAMA 1998;279:688-95.
62. Maki PM, Gast MJ, Vieweg AJ, Burriss SW, Yaffe K. HT in postmenopausal women with cognitive complaints. Neurology 2007;69:1322-30.
63. Shaywitz SE, Shaywitz BE, Pugh KR, Fulbright RK, Skudlarski P, Mencl WE et al. Effects of estrogen on brain activation patterns in postmenopausal women during working memory tasks. JAMA 1999;281:1197-202.
64. Ditkoff EC, Crary WG, Cristo M, Lobo RA. Estrogen improves psychological function in asymptomatic postmenopausal women. Obstet Gynecol 1991;78:991-5.
65. Sherwin BB. Estrogenic effects on memory in women. Ann NY Acad Sci 1994;743:213-30.
66. Binder EF, Schechtman KB, Birge SJ, Williams DB, Kohrt WM. Effects of hormone replacement therapy on cognitive performance in elderly women. Maturitas 2001;38:137-46.
67. Goebel JA, Bilge SJ, Price SC, Hanson JM, Fishel DG. Estrogen replacement therapy and postural stability in the elderly. Am J Otol 1995;16:470-4.
68. Hogervorst E, Yaffe K, Richards M, Huppert FA. HRT to maintain cognitive function in women with dementia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2009;21:CD003799.
69. Phillips SM, Sherwin BB. Effects of estrogen on memory function in surgically menopausal women. Psychoneuroendocrinology 1992;17:485-95.
70. Farrag AK, Khedr EM, Abdel-Aleem H, Rageh TA. Effect of surgical menopause on cognitive functions. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2002;13:193-8.
71. Nappi RE, Sinforiani E, Mauri M, Bono G, Polatti F, Nappi G. Memory functioning at menopause impact of age in ovariectomized women. Gynecol Obstet Invest 1999;47:29-36.
72. Fedor-Freyberg P. The influence of estrogens on the well-being and mental performance on the climacteric and postmenopausal women. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1977;64:12-20.
73. Hogervorst E, Boshuisen M, Riedel WJ, Willekes C, Jolles J. The effect of hormone replacement therapy on cognitive function in elderly women. Psychoneuroendocrinology 1999;24:43-68.
74. Linzmayer L, Semlitsch HV, Saletu B, Bock G, Saletu-Zyhlarz G, Zoghlami A et al. Double-blind, placebo-controlled psychometric studies on the effects of a combined estrogen-progestin regimen versus estrogen alone on performance, mood and personality of menopausal syndrome patients. Arzneimittelforschung 2001;51:238-45.
75. Yesufu A, Bandelow S, Hogervorst E. Meta-analyses of the effect of hormone treatment on cognitive function in postmenopausal women. Women's Health. 2007;3(2):173-195.
76. Caldwell BM. An evaluation of psychological effects of sex hormone administration in aged women II. Results of therapy after 18 months. J Gerontol 1954;9:168-74.
77. File SE, Heard JE, Rymer J. Trough oestradiol levels associated with cognitive impairment in postmenopausal women after 10 years of oestradiol implants. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2002;161:107-12.
78. Kritz-Silverstein D, Barrett-Connor E. Hysterectomy, oophorectomy and cognitive function in older women. J Am Geriatr Soc 2002;50:55-61.
79. Rocca WA, Bower JH, Maraganore DM, Ahlskog JE, Grossardt BR, de Andrade M et al. Increased risk of cognitive impairment or dementia in women who underwent oophorectomy before menopause. Neurology 2007;69:1074-83.
80. Szklo M, Cerhan J, Diez-Roux AV, Chambless L, Cooper L, Folsom AR et al. Estrogen replacement therapy and cognitive functioning in the artherosclerotic risk in communities (ARIC) study. Am J Epidemiol 1996;144:1048-57.
81. Brinton RD. The healthy cell bias of estrogen action. Trends Neuroscience 2008;31:529-37.
82. Hogervorst E, Bandelow S, Talbot C. Possible genetic polymorphisms related to sex steroid metabolism and dementia in women. In: Hogervorst E, Henderson VW, Brinton-Diaz RD, Gibbs R, editors. Hormones, cognition and dementia. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2009. p. 143-152.
83. Hogervorst E, Smith AD. The interaction of serum folate and estradiol levels in Alzheimer's disease. Neuroendocrinol Lett 2002;23:155-60.
84. Paoletti AM, Congia S, Lello S, Tedde D, Orrù M, Pistis M et al. Low androgenization index in elderly women and elderly men with Alzheimer's disease. Neurology 2004;62:301-3.
85. Cunningham C, Synncot M, Rowan M, Moore R, Walsh JB, Lawlor B, Coakley D, O'Neill D. Oestrogen levels in demented and nondemented postmenopausal women. Paper presented at: U.K. Dementia Research Group; Thursday 2nd April 1998, 1994; Annual Meeting - University of Leicester, Gilbert Murray Hall, Leicester, UK.
86. Bernstein L, Zimarina T, Imyanitov E, Kovalevskij A, Maximov S, Pujol P et al. Hormonal imbalance in two types of endometrial cancer and genetic polymorphism of steroidogenic enzymes. Maturitas 2006;54:352-5.
87. Kruman R, Wersto F, Cardozo-Pelaez L, Smilenov L, Chan SL, Chrest FJ et al. Cycle Activation Linked to Neuronal Cell Death Initiated by DNA Damage. Neuron 2004;41:549-61.
88. Rees M. Gynaecological oncology perspective on management of the menopause. Eur J Surg Oncol 2006;11.
89. Casadesus G, Bryan KJ, Perry G, Smith MA. Involvement of gonadotropins in cognitive function: implications for AD. In: Hogervorst E, Henderson VW, Brinton-Diaz RD, Gibbs R, editors. Hormones, cognition and dementia. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2009. p. 251-4.
90. Hogervorst E, Combrinck MC, Smith AD. Testosterone and gonadotropin levels in men with dementia. Neuroendocrinol Lett 2003;24:203-8.
91. Bowen RL, Isley JP, Atkinson RL. An association of elevated serum gonadotropin concentrations and Alzheimer Disease? J Neuroendocrinol 2000;12:351-4.
92. Wegienka G, Havstad S, Kelsey JL. Menopausal hormone therapy in a health maintenance organization before and after WHI hormone trials termination. Journal of Women's Health 2006;15:369-78.