Timing Hormone Therapy in Midlife May Cut Dementia Risk
New UK Biobank research on over 183,000 postmenopausal women followed for about 13 years shows starting hormone replacement therapy during midlife (roughly 46–56 years old) is linked to a lower dementia risk, with about a 10% reduction in all dementia and a 16% reduction in Alzheimer’s disease. Benefits were greatest for those who began between 46–50 (13% reduction) and 51–56 (23% reduction), and stronger effects were seen after surgical menopause. Women with naturally lower lifetime estrogen exposure still showed a 16% reduced dementia risk after HRT. The study supports a “window of opportunity” for personalized brain health strategies, though effects vary among individuals and APOE4 carriers saw about a 13% reduction.
- Scientists pinpoint when women should start HRT to cut dementia risk The Independent
- New Studies Link Menopause Hormone Therapy to Lower Alzheimer’s Risk The New York Times
- Is there a ‘window of opportunity’ to prevent Alzheimer’s in women? Scientific American
- Women using HRT at lower risk of dementia, study suggests The Guardian
- Taking HRT in midlife cuts dementia risk by a quarter, study suggests The Telegraph
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