title: Depression in women: windows of vulnerability and new insights into the link between estrogen and serotonin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this commentary is to provide an update on the research in both preclinical and clinical models regarding the cross-talk between estrogen and various serotonin molecular markers and the possible implications this may have on female-related mood disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Animal and human studies provide strong and consistent evidence suggesting that estrogen is able to regulate the serotonin pathway at various levels. The general trend that emerges is that estrogen administration increases serotonin availability by altering mRNA and protein levels of various serotonin markers and by decreasing serotonin breakdown. These effects may have direct implications on female mood disorders such as premenstrual disorders and depression during pregnancy, postpartum, and during the menopausal transition.
authors: Sonali
authors: S
authors: Lokuge
authors: Benicio N
authors: BN
authors: Frey
authors: Jane A
authors: JA
authors: Foster
authors: Claudio N
authors: CN
authors: Soares
authors: Meir
authors: M
authors: Steiner
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents