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.
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.