Study Reveals That British Women Taking Hormone Replacement Therapy May Face Increased Alzheimer’s Risk Due to Genetic Factor Found in One in Four People

Millions of women in the UK are using Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) as a common treatment for menopause symptoms.

In fact, the number has soared to 2.6 million women, with increasing popularity due to its widespread endorsement by celebrities such as Davina McCall, who highlight its potential benefits, including improved sex drive and better memory.

However, recent research has raised concerns about a potential link between HRT and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, especially in women with a certain genetic trait.

A Genetic Risk Factor

Researchers from Liverpool John Moores University have found that women carrying the APOE e4 gene, a trait found in about one in four people, could face a significantly higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s if they use HRT.

The study shows that these women had 60% higher levels of a molecule linked to Alzheimer’s when using HRT compared to those without the gene.

While this gene increases the risk of Alzheimer’s in general—doubling or tripling the likelihood for those with one copy and increasing it tenfold for those with two copies—the new findings suggest that HRT may exacerbate this risk in genetically susceptible women.

Understanding the Study

The study, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, analyzed cerebrospinal fluid samples from 136 women with an average age of 66, who were not showing cognitive issues at the time of the test.

The researchers focused on a substance known to be a precursor to the brain plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

When comparing the women taking HRT to those not using it, they found that the combination of HRT and the APOE e4 gene resulted in significantly higher levels of this molecule.

The Mixed Evidence Around HRT and Dementia

The findings, though concerning, add to the ongoing debate around HRT’s effects on brain health.

Previous studies have shown mixed results, with some research involving over 400,000 women suggesting that HRT could reduce the risk of dementia, while other studies involving 50,000 women indicate the opposite.

This inconsistency may stem from various factors, such as the form of HRT used (oral, topical, or pessary) and the age of the women in the studies.

Although estrogen, a key hormone in HRT, is generally considered beneficial for brain health—helping to explain why “brain fog” is common during menopause—there is still confusion about how HRT might increase Alzheimer’s risk for certain women.

One theory, as explained by Dr. Davide Bruno, the lead researcher, is that estrogen might help healthy neurons but could worsen damage in “sick” neurons, possibly increasing the risk of Alzheimer’s in genetically vulnerable individuals.

What’s Next for HRT and Alzheimer’s Research?

As the use of HRT continues to rise, particularly with the latest NHS data showing a 12% increase in prescriptions, experts urge more research to understand the long-term implications for women’s brain health.

The Alzheimer’s Society notes that the evidence is still unclear, as studies vary widely in terms of age groups and HRT methods.

Nevertheless, experts agree that women with the APOE e4 gene may need to be more cautious about using HRT, especially until more is known.

With the rising cost of dementia care and a growing aging population, understanding the full impact of HRT on brain health is crucial.

Alzheimer’s, which currently affects nearly 944,000 people in the UK, is already the leading cause of dementia and the UK’s biggest killer, and its impact is expected to rise sharply in the coming years.

As this issue continues to evolve, it is essential for women to discuss their individual risks with healthcare providers and consider genetic testing before starting HRT.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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