The role of estrogen in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease
S.J. Birge
Bok Engelsk 1997
| Utgitt | 1997
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|---|---|
| Omfang | Side S36- S41
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| Opplysninger | Multiple factors appear to contribute to the expression ofAlzheimer's disease (AD). About 30% of cases of dementia of theAlzheimer's type can be attributed to genetic factors. Theseobservations raise the possibility of identifying multipleinterventions that may modify the disease process and, therefore, theclinical expression of the dementia. Prominent among factors that maycontribute to dementia and, specifically, to dementia of theAlzheimer's type is cerebral vascular disease. Estrogen is a potentfactor that not only prevents vascular disease but also improvesblood flow in diseased vessels, including blood flea in regions ofthe brain affected by AD. Estrogen also has direct effects onneuronal function that may play an important role not only in thepreservation of neurons but in repair of neurons damaged by thedisease process. These effects of estrogen on the CNS suggest thatthe hormone may be effective not only in the prevention of dementiabut also in its treatment. The results of clinical trials, reviewedin this presentation, are very promising but are limited by thepaucity of subjects and often the lack of adequate controls. Larger,randomized, placebo-controlled trials are needed to definitivelyestablish the efficacy of estrogen in the treatment of dementia ofthe Alzheimer's type.
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| Emner |
