To assess effects of menopausal hormone therapy and normal aging on cognitive performance and imaging markers of brain structure in women approximately thirteen years after enrolling in the KEEPS trial. KEEPS participants were randomized to oral or transdermal estrogen treatments or placebo within three years of menopause. This is a follow up study of these women approximately thirteen years after randomization (9 years after study completion.) No treatments are given as part of this study; any current hormonal treatments are by choice and prescribed by the participant's personal physician.
Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease in Women: Risks and Benefits of Hormone Therapy -Continuation of: "The Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study (KEEPS)" Mayo Clinic IRB#2241-04-00
The objectives are to assess the long-term risks and benefits of menopausal hormone therapy (mHT) on Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology, cerebrovascular, cognitive, and mood health in women treated with transdermal 17β-estradiol (tE2) or oCEE compared to placebo within three years of menopause, which is considered to be the "critical window" for mHT.
The Primary Objective is to determine the differences in Alzheimer's Disease biomarkers , cerebrovascular lesion load and brain structure in postmenopausal women who were treated with one of two mHTs vs. placebo after 13 years post-randomization and 9 years after the end of mHT administration phase.
This project is proposed as a continuation to the Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study (KEEPS), a nationwide, multi-center, randomized blinded study of mHT in recently menopausal women.
The current investigation will include assessments conducted within a six-week interval over 2- 3 visits, Participants will be on study for up to 3 months while completing medical assessment, questionnaires, blood work, neurocognitive studies, ECG, brain MRI, brain PET.