Estrogen-only hormone therapy linked to reduced Alzheimer’s brain pathology in post-menopausal women

A new analysis of more than 5,000 women over age 50, published in Neurology, compared postmortem brain findings of those who used estrogen-only hormone therapy with those who did not. About 7 % of the cohort had taken estrogen alone, a regimen typically prescribed after hysterectomy. Autopsy results showed these women had 35 % reduced odds of severe Alzheimer’s hallmarks—amyloid plaques, tau tangles and neuritic plaques—relative to non-users.

Living participants also exhibited lower amyloid concentrations in blood and cerebrospinal fluid and fewer reports of memory loss or functional decline. Researchers caution the findings are not proof of prevention and stress the need for prospective trials, including studies of combined estrogen-progestogen therapy, which is more common. Experts not involved in the work say the results add important evidence on menopausal hormone therapy and brain health.