HRT linked to shrinkage of critical brain areas

A study published in the January 13 issue of Neurology found that hormone replacement therapies commonly used to treat symptoms of  menopause were linked to faster loss of tissue in critical areas of the  brain among women aged 65 and over.

Brain MRI scans were obtained in a subset of 1,403 women aged 71 to 89  years who participated in the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study.  Compared with placebo, covariate-adjusted mean frontal lobe volume was  2.37cm3 lower among women assigned to HRT (p=0.004), mean hippocampal  volume was slightly (0.1cm3) lower (p=0.05). Both regions are involved  in thinking and memory. Differences in total brain volume approached  significance (p=0.07). Results were similar for conjugated equine  estrogens plus medroxyprogesterone and CEE. HRT-associated reductions in  hippocampal volumes were greatest in women with the baseline Modified  Mini-Mental State Examination scores of less than 90.