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The Women's Health Initiative Memory Study (The WHIMS Study)

Information source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this data on August 23, 2015
Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record.

Condition(s) targeted: Dementia Syndromes

Intervention: Estrogen horomone therapy (Drug); Estrogen plus progesterone hormone therapy (Drug); Placebo (Drug)

Phase: N/A

Status: Completed

Sponsored by: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Official(s) and/or principal investigator(s):
Sally A. Shumaker, PhD, Principal Investigator, Affiliation: Wake Forest School of Medicine

Summary

Excessive memory decline or dementia affects an increasing number of women as they become older. The frequency of dementia doubles every 5 years beginning at age 60, making the discovery of ways to prevent or slow the disease imperative. Previous studies have indicated that changes in memory may be associated with the female hormonal decline that occurs after menopause, but more research is needed to establish the link between menopause and poorer memory function. It is believed that taking the female hormones estrogen and/or progesterone may help improve women's health by protecting against memory decline. This study will evaluate the effects of female hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on the development and progression of memory loss in older women enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study.

Clinical Details

Official title: Women's Health Initiative Memory Study

Study design: Observational Model: Case Control, Time Perspective: Prospective

Primary outcome: All-cause dementia

Secondary outcome: Mild cognitive impairment

Detailed description: Diseases of the memory, including dementia and Alzheimer's disease, are a primary health concern of the aging population. In just the last 30 years, the number of Americans diagnosed with memory diseases has doubled. The beginning signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's and dementia include mild forgetfulness, confusion, and disorientation with time and place. As the diseases advance, people often experience difficulty in carrying out normal activities, recognizing family and friends, and eventually speaking and comprehending. Early identification and treatment for dementia and Alzheimer's may help prevent and slow the progression of symptoms, but the most beneficial means of treatment is still unknown. Previous studies have suggested a link between menopause and reduced memory function in women, possibly attributed to the dramatic decline in the levels of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. HRT in postmenopausal women may help to curb memory loss and reduce risk of developing memory-related diseases. This study will evaluate the effects of female HRT on the development and progression of memory loss in older women enrolled in the WHI study. Participants in this study will be drawn from the WHI study and will have previously been assigned to HRT with estrogen, HRT with estrogen plus progesterone, or placebo. During this study, participants will continue to take their assigned treatments from the WHI study. Participation will last up to 6 years. All participants will undergo baseline memory and thinking tests, including a mood assessment and tasks measuring memory and other brain functions. Study staff will conduct a telephone interview with a close family member or friend. Some participants may additionally undergo a 45-minute interview with a clinician, a blood draw, and a computerized tomography (CT) scan. All participants will repeat the baseline memory and thinking tests once annually for 6 years, and some participants will repeat the interview, blood draw, and CT scan at these annual visits as well.

Eligibility

Minimum age: 65 Years. Maximum age: N/A. Gender(s): Female.

Criteria:

Inclusion Criteria:

- Enrolled in the WHI study

Locations and Contacts

Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, United States
Additional Information

Related publications:

Shumaker SA, Reboussin BA, Espeland MA, Rapp SR, McBee WL, Dailey M, Bowen D, Terrell T, Jones BN. The Women's Health Initiative Memory Study (WHIMS): a trial of the effect of estrogen therapy in preventing and slowing the progression of dementia. Control Clin Trials. 1998 Dec;19(6):604-21.

Starting date: January 1996
Last updated: June 13, 2008

Page last updated: August 23, 2015

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