Background: Cortical atrophy, central atrophy, deep white-matter hyperintensities, and periventricular hyperintensities are reported in normal aging.
Objectives: We examined the effects of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) on these forms of 'subclinical structural brain disease' (SSBD) in normal, postmenopausal women in a pilot, naturalistic, longitudinal study of 15 subjects.
Methods: Two assessments were performed at least two years apart, with volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neuropsychological testing.
Results: Women receiving open-label ERT showed significantly less progression of SSBD than those who did not.
Conclusions: The association between reduced SSBD progression and ERT suggests this intervention could help preserve normal brain structure in healthy elderly women.
Copyright 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.