HRT reduces dementia risk study

A landmark study led by the University of East Anglia and the University of Exeter, published in the journal Alzheimer's and Dementia, analyzed data from 183,450 post-menopausal women in the UK Biobank over an average of 13 years. The research found that women who used hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for at least a year had a 10% lower risk of developing dementia and a 16% lower risk of Alzheimer's disease. The protective effect was strongest for women who started HRT between ages 46 and 56, with those starting at 51-56 seeing a 23% reduced risk. Women who underwent surgical menopause had a 26% lower risk, and those with lower lifetime oestrogen exposure had a 16% lower risk. The study also found benefits for APOE4 gene carriers. The findings support the 'window of opportunity' hypothesis and suggest HRT may play a role in long-term cognitive health. The study was funded by the United Kingdom — Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. Experts from University College London and Alzheimer s Research UK commented, noting the study is observational and cannot prove causation.