title: Multiple sclerosis at menopause: Potential neuroprotective effects of estrogen.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune demyelinating and neurodegenerative condition of the central nervous system that preferentially afflicts women more than men. Low estrogen states such as menopause and the postpartum period favor exacerbations of multiple sclerosis in women with the disease. Existing and emerging evidence suggests a role for estrogen in the alleviation of symptoms and reversal of pathology associated with MS. While clinical evidence is sparse regarding the benefit of estrogen therapy for women at risk for MS exacerbations, scientific data demonstrates that estrogen potentiates numerous neuroprotective effects on the central nervous system (CNS). Estrogens play a wide range of roles involved in MS disease pathophysiology, including increasing antiinflammatory cytokines, decreasing demyelination, and enhancing oxidative and energy producing processes in CNS cells.
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Lutherville, MD 21093, United States. Electronic address: mchris21@jhmi.edu.
authors.forename: Mindy S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Christianson
authors.affiliation: Brown Alpert Medical School, Women & Infants Hospital, Providence, RI, United States.
authors.forename: Virginia A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Mensah
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Baltimore, MD, United States.
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Shen
mesh_terms: D016207:Cytokines; D018450:Disease Progression; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004967:Estrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000378:metabolism*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D004967:Estrogens; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents
keywords: Estradiol; Estrogen; Hormone therapy; Menopause; Multiple sclerosis; Neuroprotection