title: The neuroprotective actions of oestradiol and oestrogen receptors.
abstract: Hormones regulate homeostasis by communicating through the bloodstream to the body's organs, including the brain. As homeostatic regulators of brain function, some hormones exert neuroprotective actions. This is the case for the ovarian hormone 17β-oestradiol, which signals through oestrogen receptors (ERs) that are widely distributed in the male and female brain. Recent discoveries have shown that oestradiol is not only a reproductive hormone but also a brain-derived neuroprotective factor in males and females and that ERs coordinate multiple signalling mechanisms that protect the brain from neurodegenerative diseases, affective disorders and cognitive decline.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, E-28002 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Maria-Angeles
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Arevalo
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Universidad Complutense, E-28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Iñigo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Azcoitia
authors.affiliation: Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, E-28002 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Luis M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Garcia-Segura
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D058632:Neuroprostanes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D058632:Neuroprostanes; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D004958:Estradiol