Another conclusion of the first study was:
"Our findings emphasize the need for continued investigation of the joint effects of brain volume changes and vascular changes to further understanding of HT effects on cognitive and brain aging."2
In the second study, researchers found that hormone therapy was not linked to an increase in volumes of small vascular lesions in the brain or “silent strokes” that are often the first sign of cerebrovascular disease. “This was not what we expected to find,” said study author Laura H. Coker, PhD, of Wake Forest University Health Sciences in Winston-Salem, NC. Coker said the negative effects of hormone therapy on cognitive skills may not be related primarily to vascular disease but to neurodegeneration, which is supported by the first study’s findings of brain atrophy.
Summary and comments:
Migraineurs considering hormone therapy now have another issue to consider when making their decision. As with other studies, this is no reason to panic or abruptly discontinue HT if you're using it. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor to determine what is right for you.
*The Women’s Health Initiative, a major 15-year research program designed to address the most frequent causes of death, disability and poor quality of life in postmenopausal women, is funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The memory study was also funded in part by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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Resources:
1 Press Release. "Hormone Therapy Linked to Brain Shrinkage, But Not Lesions." American Academy of Neurology. St. Paul, Minn. January 12, 2009.
2 Resnick, S.M., PhD; Espeland, M.A., PhD; Jaramillo, S.A., MS; Hirsch,C., MD; Stafanick, M.L, PhD; Murray, A.M., MD, MSc; Ockene, J., PhD Med; Davatzikos, C., PhD. "Postmenopausal hormone therapy and regional brain volumes. The WHIMS-MRI Study." Neurology® 2009;72:135–142.
3 Coker, L.H., PhD; Hogan, P.E., MS; Bryan, N.R., MD; Kuller, L.H.; MD; Margolis, MD; Bettermann, K. MD; Wallace, R.B., MD; Lao, Z., MD; Freeman, R., MD; Stefanick, M.L., PhD; Shumaker, S.A., PhD;. "Postmenopausal hormone therapy and subclinical cerebrovascular disease. The WHIMS-MRI Study." Neurology® 2009;72:125–134.
© Teri Robert, 2009.
Last updated January 12, 2009.
