title: Menopause and estrogen deficiency as a risk factor in dementing illness: hypothesis on the biological basis.
abstract: The positive efficacy of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a matter of intense debate among clinicians and neuroscientists. The experimental and preliminary clinical evidence supporting the use of ERT are based on epidemiological data and on the study of the effect of estrogens on several aspects of brain homeostasis, including the modulation of neurotransmitters and vascular changes. In spite of numerous data available the mechanisms underlying the putative estrogen effects in neurodegenerative diseases are largely unknown. The aim of this paper is to discuss and elaborate on some of the hypotheses and controversial findings currently present in this field.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Solerte
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fioravanti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Racchi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trabucchi
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Zanetti
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Govoni
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000818:Animals; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004967:Estrogens / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens