title: Neurocognitive effects of estrogens across the adult lifespan in nonhuman primates: State of knowledge and new perspectives.
abstract: This article is part of a Special Issue "Estradiol and cognition". This review discusses the unique contribution of nonhuman primate research to our understanding of the neurocognitive effects of estrogens throughout the adult lifespan in females. Mounting evidence indicates that estrogens affect many aspects of hippocampal, prefrontal and cholinergic function in the primate brain and the underlying mechanisms are beginning to be elucidated. In addition, estrogens may also influence cognitive function indirectly, via the modulation of other systems that impact cognition. We will focus on the effects of estrogens on sleep and emphasize the need for primate models to better understand these complex interactions. Continued research with nonhuman primates is essential for the development of therapies that are optimal for the maintenance of women's cognitive health throughout the lifespan.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, MA, USA. Electronic address: alacreuse@psych.umass.edu.
authors.forename: Agnès
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lacreuse
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Mong
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Yuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hara
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011323:Primates / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens
keywords: Cognition; Dendritic spines; Estradiol; Frontal cortex; Hippocampus; Hot flashes; Memory; Menopause; Monkey; Sleep