Departments of Psychiatry, Neurology and Epidemiology, University of California, San Francisco and the San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, California 94121, USA
Address for correspondence: Kristine Yaffe, M.D., University of California, San Francisco, Box 111G, 4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, California 94121. Voice: 415-750-6625; fax: 415-750-6641.
kyaffe{at}itsa.ucsf.edu
At least 10% of people aged 65 or older have some form of cognitive
impairment, increasing to around 50% by age 85. Several studies
have suggested that estrogen may improve cognitive function
or prevent the development of dementia, but other studies have
not shown a benefit, and results from large randomized trials
are lacking. Fortunately, further trials are currently being
conducted. With the recognition that selective estrogen receptor
modulators (SERMs) have differential tissue-dependent effects
on estrogen receptor function, there is recent interest in the
effects of raloxifene, tamoxifen, and other SERMs on cognition.
In this paper, the current state of knowledge of the role of
estrogen for preventing dementia in postmenopausal women will
be reviewed. In addition, the status of ongoing and recently
completed trials of estrogen and SERMs on cognitive function
or on Alzheimer's disease severity will be summarized.
