Neuroimaging of aging and estrogen effects on central nervous system physiology.
OBJECTIVE
To review the literature on neuroimaging studies focusing on gender differences in the aging process and on the effects of postmenopausal estrogen use on the brain.


METHODS
Pertinent studies were identified through a computer MEDLINE search. References of selected articles were hand-searched for additional citations.


CONCLUSIONS
The current literature suggests that estrogen replacement may decrease brain white matter lesions, increase cerebral blood flow, alter regional brain activation patterns during cognitive processing, and have modulatory effects on various neurotransmitter systems. Overall, this points to a functional plasticity in higher order brain processing that can be altered by gonadal steroids.
Smith
Y R
YR
University of Michigan, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0276, USA. ysmith@umich.edu
Zubieta
J K
JK
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D004967:Estrogens; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents