Hormones - Causes Of Memory Impairment: Improving Memory Understanding Age Related Memory Loss

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Hormones

Experts are uncertain as to whether the decline in sex hormones that occurs naturally with age contributes to age-related memory loss. Many women experience particular trouble with memory during menopause, when their levels of estrogen fall sharply. Some studies suggest that estrogen protects neurons, which might explain a connection with memory. Although men do not have such a dramatic decline of hormones as they get older, research shows that men with high levels of testosterone have better visual and verbal memories than men with low levels.

If sex hormones benefit memory, it would stand to reason that hormone supplements might protect against age-related memory difficulties. But research has reported the opposite effect for women. The Women's Health Initiative Memory Study (WHIMS), a large clinical trial, found in 2003 that combination estrogen/progestin therapy (Prempro) doubled risk for dementia in women ages 65 or older. In 2004, the same study found that estrogen alone also increased the risk. The study also reported that estrogen increased the risk of stroke (see "Estrogen therapy and memory").

Although some critics have questioned scientific details of the WHIMS study, the FDA now requires menopausal hormone therapies to have labels warning that they do not prevent memory loss and may increase risk of dementia.

As for men, a study in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience in 2000 found that testosterone supplements can lead to improvements in working memory in men. But testosterone supplements increase the risk of some kinds of cancer and may also increase the risk of stroke. Men who are concerned about memory loss should discuss the pros and cons of testosterone therapy with their primary care physician or an endocrine specialist.

Last updated:	January 23, 2007