While earlier observational studies suggested that postmenopausal hormone treatment may improve cognitive functioning in women, studies from the Women's Health Initiative have shown that estrogen replacement therapy started in postmenopausal women (65 years or older) did not enhance cognitive functioning nor did it decrease the risk of dementia.
An article published in the October 2007 issue of Archives of General Psychiatry suggests that older women who experience panic attacks may be at increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke and at increased risk of death over the next five years. MGH researcher Jordan W. Smoller, M.D. and colleagues followed 3,369 healthy postmenopausal women as part of the Women’s Health Initiative. Upon entry into the study, participants filled out a questionnaire about the occurrence of panic attacks in the previous six months and were then followed prospectively for an average of 5.3 years to assess risk for cardiovascular disease. About 10 percent of the women reported having a full-blown panic attack in the six months prior to the study.
