Several studies have linked the use of estrogen replacement therapy with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease, and bone mineral density( BMD ) is known as a good indicator of exposure to estrogen. Hence researchers studied 987 women and men to determine how BMD related to the risk of cognitive problems. All of the participants were free from cognitive decline at the beginning of the study. Researchers then measured their BMD at several body points and followed them for eight years to assess for dementia.
Results showed women in the group were significantly more likely to develop memory problems if they had lower BMD at the femoral neck. Those with the lowest measurements were about twice as likely to have Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. However no significant link between BMD and cognitive problems was observed among the men in the study.Thus researchers believe that BMD may be a good way to assess cumulative estrogen exposure in women and, thus, their risk of developing memory problems as they age. Researchers also say their finding suggests that women with a low BMD are at highest risk for dementia and may benefit from ERT ( Estrogen replacement therapy ).
