
Biomarker may flag dementia risk for certain menopause hormone therapies
New analysis of WHI data finds that higher baseline plasma p-tau217, an Alzheimer's biomarker, is linked to a substantially higher dementia risk, especially for women on combined estrogen–progesterone therapy started later in life; estrogen-only therapy did not show the same pattern. The risk was strongest among women over 70, white women, and APOE4 carriers, suggesting hormone interactions with brain vulnerability rather than a direct cause. Starting combined hormone therapy around menopause for five years or less generally does not raise dementia risk, but starting after 65 may for some women. Biomarkers like p-tau217 could help identify who is most at risk.









