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Posted on Nov 10, 2003, 7 a.m.
By Bill Freeman
A recent study has found further evidence to support the theory that sex hormones may help to prevent Alzheimer's disease. Researchers at New York University found that levels of the beta-amyloid protein nearly doubled in a group of men who were undergoing therapy to block the production of male sex hormones in order to treat prostate cancer.
A recent study has found further evidence to support the theory that sex hormones may help to prevent Alzheimer's disease. Researchers at New York University found that levels of the beta-amyloid protein nearly doubled in a group of men who were undergoing therapy to block the production of male sex hormones in order to treat prostate cancer. High blood levels of beta-amyloid are linked to an increase risk of Alzheimer's disease. The researchers speculate that the gradual decrease in testosterone levels that occurs with age "may explain why Alzheimer's disease occurs in late life." Other studies have found that estrogen appears to protect women from the disease - 14 out of 15 epidemiological studies conducted in the last 10 years have found that HRT can reduce a women's risk of developing Alzheimer's by as much as 50%.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: www.reutershealth.com, October 2nd 2001
