title: Sex hormones and neurotransmitters as mediators for sexual differentiation of the brain.
abstract: Sexual differentiation of the brain is regarded as a model for environment-dependent brain development mediated by systemic hormones and neurotransmitters. Abnormal concentrations of systemic hormones and/or neurotransmitters, if occurring during a critical period of brain development, can lead to permanent developmental disabilities of fundamental processes of life. Such developmental disabilities appear to be avoidable, at least in part, by improving the external, i.e. psychosocial and natural environment, or by correcting abnormalities in the internal, i.e. metabolic and hormonal environment and, particularly, by correcting abnormal neurotransmitter concentrations (and/or turnover rates) during brain development.
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000728:Androgens / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology*; D002369:Castration; D012734:Disorders of Sex Development / Q000209:etiology; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000032:analysis; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology*; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology*; D010293:Pargyline / Q000494:pharmacology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D011610:Psychosocial Deprivation; D011729:Pyridostigmine Bromide / Q000494:pharmacology; D012110:Reserpine / Q000494:pharmacology; D012733:Sex Differentiation; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000150:complications; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014857:Warfare
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D004967:Estrogens; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D013739:Testosterone; D012110:Reserpine; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D010293:Pargyline; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D011729:Pyridostigmine Bromide