Health Memory loss and menapause

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Menopausal Memory Loss Theory Tested By Michael O'Reilly, M.D. ThirdAge Reproductive Expert

You find yourself staring blankly into your closet, not knowing what you're looking for -- only to remember moments later once you've returned to the kitchen. Sound familiar?

You may be experiencing the phenomenon what scientists call "age associated memory impairment" (AAMI). As a normal consequence of aging, AAMI usually becomes noticeable around age 40. However, if you find yourself getting lost on the way home from the store, you could have a more serious memory problem such as Alzheimer's Disease, a type of dementia.

Alzheimer's disease affects more women than men, and occurs only after menopause, when a woman's estrogen levels have decreased. This, combined with the fact that estrogen promotes growth in brain memory, has researchers suspecting that estrogen may also play a role in memory preservation.

Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT), then, may increase the levels of estrogen in areas of the brain that are tied to memory. In 1996, a large study was commissioned to examine the effects of Evista(R) (raloxifene HCl) on memory loss. Evista(R) is the latest of "designer estrogen" drugs that provide estrogen's benefits, but without the negative side effects, such as increased risk of breast cancer.

A total of 7478 postmenopausal women were enrolled and given a battery of tests measuring mental function, including memory, attention and concentration. The tests were given at the start of the trial, at six months and after the first, second and third years. One-third of the women took 60 mg of Evista, one-third took 120 mg and another third took a placebo (sugar pill).

While the researchers felt there was some evidence of an effect on verbal memory and attention, they concluded that Evista(R) had no overall effect on memory loss. The results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Concerned about memory loss? Find out what's normal and how to enhance the memory you have.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001


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