CAN ESTROGENS PREVENT NEURODEGENERATION

Estrogen replacement therapy appears to have significant beneficial ef fects on cognition and mood in the elderly. In recent studies, its use has been associated with short term symptomatic cognitive improvement and with a decreased risk of (or a delay in) developing Alzheimer's d isease (AD). Clinical reports are supported by substantial basic scien tific evidence of the neuroprotective effects of estrogens. Their spec ific effects on dementia and cognitive impairment remain to be delinea ted. Ongoing randomised trials in AD will only provide information on the symptomatic effects of estrogens. Although basic research will pro gress, there is currently sufficient knowledge to promote active clini cal research on the possible disease-modifying or neuroprotective effe cts of estrogens in the elderly.