The neuroprotective effects of estrogen on the aging brain.
The population of the western world is ageing. This increase in the elderly population will inevitably mean a rise in the prevalence of age-related cognitive decline and late-onset neuropsychiatric disorder, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). There are sex differences in the incidence and age of onset of these disorders. Sex steroids and sex chromosomes are therefore implicated in their pathophysiology. We have identified relevant past and current literature using a Medline search and from the references of relevant papers. These were then reviewed and relevant articles have been summarized and included in the review. Evidence is presented for the wide-ranging actions of estrogen in the brain at the cellular, metabolic and neurotransmitter levels as well as from the cognitive, AD, depression and cerebrovascular perspectives. The authors conclude that it is unlikely that estrogen will become a stand-alone treatment for any of these disorders, although there may still be a role as an adjunctive treatment and as a prophylactic measure.
Norbury
Ray
R
Section of Brain Maturation, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Box P050, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK.
Cutter
William J
WJ
Compton
Jacqueline
J
Robertson
Dene M
DM
Craig
Michael
M
Whitehead
Malcolm
M
Murphy
Declan G
DG
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D003704:Dementia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D012723:Sex
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D012701:Serotonin; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine