Alzheimers And Postmenopausal Women

Finally, there is good evidence now that women in menopause are at a higher risk to develop Alzheimers due to a 1.5-fold increase in beta-amyloid (Ref. 7).

This is due to a lack of estrogen and it has been shown that low dose estrogen replacement is effective in experimental animals as well as in humans to significantly improve Alzheimers symptoms. This is thought to occur because of a toning down of the beta-amyloid peptide production. However, recent data found that estrogen replacement therapy leads to a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer and uterine cancer. For this reason physicians are more cautious now ordering postmenopausal hormone replacement, particularly estrogen only (without progesterone balance). Discuss these issues with your doctor, if this affects you.

Genetic testing at the present time to predict who will develop Alzheimers is not reliably possible, as Ref. 8 has pointed out. This reference stresses the point that it is "useless" to attempt to do some of the commercially available tests, as they simply do not deliver what they promise. However, once Alzheimers has developed, there are some therapies available as is pointed out in the Alzheimers treatment section. There are also measures of preventing Alzheimers that are discussed at the end of the treatment section.

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Alzheimers, dementia and delirium

Disclaimer:

This outline is only a teaching aid to patients and should stimulate you to ask the right questions when seeing your doctor. However, the responsibility of treatment stays in the hands of your doctor and you.

References:

1. OL Lopez et al. Neurology 2000 Dec 55(12):1863-1869.

2. K Yasojima et al. Brain Res 2000 DEC 887(1):80-89.

3. A Kontush et al. FreeRadicBiol Med2001Jan30(1): 119-128.

4. H Vanderstichele et al. Amyloid 2000Dec7(4):245-258.

5. Neely et al. Lipids 2000 Nov35(11):1249-1257.

6. RA Yokel Neurotoxicology 2000 Oct21(5):813-828.

7. Petanceska et al. Exp Gerontol 2000 Dec 35 (9-10):1317-1325.

8. MB Liddell et al. Brit J Psychiatry 2001 Jan 178: 7-11.

9. Sramek et al.ExpertOpinInvestigDrugs2000Apr9(4):899-915.

10.K Kosaka et al. Neuropathology 2000 March 20(1): 1-7.

11.V Haroutunian et al.Arch Neurol 2000 Aug57(8):1145-1150.

12. C Puckett et al. Am J Hum Genet 1991Aug49(2):320-329.

13. M Haltia Ann Med 2000 Oct 32(7): 439-500.

Last Modified: Oct. 30, 2006