Aging of brain: role of estrogen.
The brain undergoes many structural and functional changes during aging. Some of these changes are regulated by estrogens which act mainly through their intracellular receptors, estrogen receptor ERalpha and ERbeta. The expression of these receptors is regulated by several factors including their own ligand estrogen, and others such as growth hormone and thyroid hormone. The levels of these factors decrease during aging which in turn influence estrogen signaling leading to alterations in brain functions. In the present paper, we review the effects of aging on brain structure and function, and estrogen action and signaling during brain aging. The findings suggest key role of estrogen in the maintenance of brain functions during aging.
Thakur
M K
MK
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India. mkt_bhu@yahoo.com
Sharma
P K
PK
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development*; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D004967:Estrogens / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
D004967:Estrogens