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------------ Link Found Between Bone Loss and Mental Deterioration
Title
----- Link Found Between Bone Loss and Mental Deterioration
Link Found Between Bone Loss and Mental Deterioration
---------------------------------------- Mental deterioration that occurs with aging may put women at risk for increased bone loss, according to a report in October issue of Journal of American Geriatrics Society. Compared with women whose bone mineral density (BMD), a measure of bone strength, was in normal range, those with spine fractures had lower scores on standardized tests of mental abilities and greater overall deterioration in mental status.
The female hormone estrogen, which declines with age, may be a major factor in this equation. Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) and blood levels of estrogens are associated with bone density and some recen studies have suggested that ERT may protect against mental decline and reduce risk of dementia. The researchers say findings add further support for importance of maintaining adequate estrogen status and bone strength as women age.
"Could estrogen prevent both bone loss and cognitive function loss?"
--------------------------------------------------- "Certainly this makes one wonder about role of estrogen," says lead researcher Kristine Yaffe, MD. Yaffe is an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at University of California in San Francisco. "Could estrogen prevent both bone loss and cognitive function loss?" Cognitive function refers to complex thought processes involved in learning and memory.
Approximately 10% of women over age 65 have cognitive function loss, or loss of some aspects of mental functioning, which puts them at risk for death and disability as well as greater likelihood of hospitalization and doctor visits. At least 30% of women in this age group have low bone density. Together, cognitive loss and low bone density are two of most common conditions affecting older women.
The study population consisted of 8,333 women age 65 or older who were not taking estrogen replacement therapy and were not demented. Bone density was measured at start of study and again four to six years later. Mental abilities were measured by three standardized tests used to score various aspects of memory, orientation, and visual-spacial skills.
