Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) and associated risks for ischemic
vascular dementia (IVD) and dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT) among
postmenopausal women were investigated by determining whether ERT was
differently distributed among control subjects than among subjects with
dementia. Subjects included 93 with probable DAT, 65 with probable IVD, and
148 normal control subjects. The proportion of control subjects on ERT was
almost 2:1, and this ratio holds for both dementia groups. Logistic
regression suggests lack of ERT is associated with increased risk for
dementia among elderly women. ERT may eventually prove to be a useful
prophylactic agent for reducing risk of DAT and IVD among postmenopausal
women.Abstract Teaser