title: Estrogen Receptors Modulation of Anxiety-Like Behavior.
abstract: Estrogens exert profound effects on the expression of anxiety in humans and rodents; however, the directionality of these effects varies considerably within both clinical and preclinical literature. It is believed that discrepancies regarding the nature of estrogens' effects on anxiety are attributable to the differential effects of specific estrogen receptor (ER) subtypes. In this chapter we will discuss the relative impact on anxiety and anxiety-like behavior of each of the three main ERs: ERα, which has a generally anxiogenic effect, ERβ, which has a generally anxiolytic effect, and the G-protein-coupled ER known as GPR30, which has been found to both increase and decrease anxiety-like behavior. In addition, we will describe the known mechanisms by which these receptor subtypes exert their influence on emotional responses, focusing on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the oxytocinergic and serotonergic systems. The impact of estrogens on the expression of anxiety is likely the result of their combined effects on all of these neurobiological systems.
authors.affiliation: Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States.
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Borrow
authors.affiliation: Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States. Electronic address: bhanda@colostate.edu.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Handa
mesh_terms: D021581:Active Transport, Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000819:agonists* / Q000378:metabolism; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000819:agonists* / Q000378:metabolism; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000819:agonists / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000378:metabolism; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000819:agonists* / Q000378:metabolism; D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin / Q000819:agonists / Q000378:metabolism; D059326:Serotonergic Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; C506487:ESR1 protein, human; C000600034:ESR2 protein, human; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D004967:Estrogens; C109584:GPER1 protein, human; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C569600:OXTR protein, human; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin; D010121:Oxytocin
keywords: Anxiety; Beta; Estradiol; Estrogen receptor alpha; GPR30; HPA; Oxytocin; Serotonin