Lifelong estrogen exposure and cognitive performance in elderly women

Fluctuating endogenous and exogenous estrogens influence cognition in women . In this study, cognitive functioning in elderly women was examined by app lying methodology used in understanding the effects of chronic estrogen exp osure on hormone-sensitive tissue other than the brain. An index, combining menstrual, reproductive, and physical markers associated with estrogen lev els, was developed for elderly, nondemented, predominantly Caucasian women (n = 87). This index related to better performance on two verbal factors, o ne attentional and one global in nature. Findings suggest that estrogen exp osure across the life span plays a role in brain aging. Possible physiologi cal mechanisms for this effect are discussed. (C) 1999 Academic Press.