Long-term estrogen replacement is associated with improved nonverbal memory and attentional measures in postmenopausal women

Objective: To determine the cognitive domains improved or preserved by long -term hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Design: A comprehensive neuropsychological test battery was administered to healthy postmenopausal women who had been treated or not treated with long -term HRT without interruption since menopause. Setting: Women were recruited by advertisement from a university town and S urrounding areas. Patient(s): Women 60 years or older were studied who were treated (n = 16) or not treated (n = 13) with HRT. Intervention(s): Neuropsychological testing included tests of memory, verba l fluency, executive functions, attention and concentration, and psychomoto r function. Tests of intellectual function, depressive symptoms, and emotio nal functioning, assessed general functions and comparability of the groups . Main Outcome Measure(s): Neuropsychological testing scores were compared be tween groups. Result(s): No statistically significant differences between the groups were found for general demographic, intellectual, and psychological measures. S cores from both the Weschler Memory Scale Visual Reproduction (delayed reca ll) and the Digit Vigilance Test (attention) showed statistically significa nt better performance and fewer errors in the group of women on HRT. Conclusion(s): Long-term postmenopausal HRT is associated with higher score s in tests of nonverbal memory and attention. (Fertil Steril (R) 2001;76:11 01-7. (C) 2001 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.).