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. 1999 Sep;24(4):315–321.

Can estrogen keep you smart? Evidence from clinical studies.

B B Sherwin 1
PMCID: PMC1189033  PMID: 10516798

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To review and critically analyze the biological plausibility of and the clinical empirical evidence concerning a link between estrogen levels and memory in women. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE search of the literature published from 1980 to 1998. Studies published between 1952 and 1980 that were known to the author were also included. STUDY SELECTION: Sixteen prospective, placebo-controlled studies in humans. DATA SYNTHESIS: Most of the studies that used neuropsychological tests with known reliability and validity found that estrogen maintained aspects of memory in women. CONCLUSIONS: Estrogen specifically maintains verbal memory in women and may prevent or forestall the deterioration in short- and long-term memory that occurs with normal aging. There is also evidence that estrogen decreases the incidence of Alzheimer disease or retards its onset or both.

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Selected References

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