New research says that the drug raloxifene, used for treating osteoporosis is also able to control the risk of mild cognitive impairment in women who are in their postmenopausal age.
The study observed women in their postmenopausal life who were given 60 or 120 mg of raloxifene daily for bone fractures due to osteoporosis for three years versus who did not receive the medication. After three years, all women were tested for cognitive impairments like loss of memory etc. and dementia, by dementia specialists and had undergone brain scans and laboratory tests to find out the symptoms of cognitive disability. Compared to those who took placebo, women who received 120 mg daily of the drug raloxifene had a 33% lower risk of mild cognitive disability, and lower risk of Alzheimer’s as well. The result was not so evident for those who had a lesser dose of the drug raloxifene.In postmenopausal women, mild cognitive disability over the years develops into memory loss and other forms of dementia. The results of the study were published in the current issue of The American Journal of Psychiatry.
Reference: The American Journal of Psychiatry, April 2005
