Postmenopausal women who suffer from Alzheimer's disease may worsen their memory loss by undergoing estrogen replacement therapy (ERT), says a new study conducted by researchers with the University of Arizona. As part of the study, seen in this month's issue of Behavioral Neuroscience, a journal published by the American Psychological Association, scientists tested the effects of ERT on female rats with conditions similar to postmenopausal women suffering from a neurological disorder such as Alzheimer's.

Using a water maze to test cognitive performance, researchers discovered rats that underwent long-term ERT were significantly impaired by the introduction of the hormone. Scientists involved in the study warned against making a comparison between rodents and humans but noted that the results were "interesting."