Six-year decrease in mean MMSE score according to tertile of estradiol concentration in older women not taking hormone replacement therapy. Women with the highest levels of free estradiol and bioavailable estradiol (perhaps representing estradiol available to the brain) showed less cognitive decline over time.
MMSE: Mini-Mental State Examination.
Data from: Yaffe K, Browner W, Cauley J, et al. Association between bone mineral density and cognitive decline in older women. J Am Geriatr Soc 1999; 47:1176.