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Posted on Sep 25, 2002, 1 p.m.
By Bill Freeman
A large study of elderly people has found that those with weakened bones performed poorly in verbal memory tests. Researchers led by Dr Yuging Zhang of Boston University found that a high bone mineral density (BMD) correlated with good verbal memory, so much so that people with the highest BMD were 44% less likely to have verbal memory impairment compared to those with the lowest.
A large study of elderly people has found that those with weakened bones performed poorly in verbal memory tests. Researchers led by Dr Yuging Zhang of Boston University found that a high bone mineral density (BMD) correlated with good verbal memory, so much so that people with the highest BMD were 44% less likely to have verbal memory impairment compared to those with the lowest. The researchers speculate that the hormone estrogen may be behind the link. Some studies have found that low-exposure to estrogen may increase a person's risk of developing verbal memory problems, "and bone mass is a good marker of cumulative estrogen exposure," Zhang said. The team conclude that their findings suggest that "high levels of long-term estrogen exposure may be a critical element in the preservation of verbal memory with aging."
SOURCE/REFERENCE: American Journal of Epidemiology 2001; 154:795-802
