Brain estrogen effects

Kow, L. M., Pfaff, D. W. Estrogen effects on neuronal responsiveness to electrical and neurotransmitter stimulation an in vitro study on the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus. Brain Research (1985), 347,1. 

As to the primary developmental actions of testosterone, growth and differentiation appear to be involved. Testosterone or estradiol stimulates outgrowth of neurites from developing hypothalamic neurons that contain estrogen receptors [14, 15]. This is believed to be one of the principal aspects of testosterone action that increases the number and the size of neurons within specific hypothalamic nuclei in males, compared to females [1, 14, 15]. 5a-DHT may have a similar effect on androgen-sensitive neurons. Differentiation of target neurons also occurs in adult brain tissue, hormones like estradiol can evoke responses that differ between adult male and female rats [1,14,15],... 

Zhou W, Koldzic-Zivanovic N, Clarke CH, de Beun R, Wassermann K, Bury PS, Cunningham KA, Thomas ML (2002) Selective estrogen receptor modulator effects in the rat brain. Neuroendocrinology 75 24-33... 

Animal studies have suggested that raloxifene may affect brain function, although the effects of SERMs on the human brain remain to be established (Nickelsen et al. 1999). Before mentioning them, it is worthwhile to review the actions of estrogens. 

Eberling JL, Wu C, Tong-Turnbeaugh R, Jagust WJ (2004) Estrogen- and tamoxifen-associated effects on brain structure and function. Neurol mage 21 364-371... 

Dluzen DE, Anderson LI (1997) Estrogen differentially modulates nicotine-evoked dopamine release from the striatum of male and female rats. Neurosci Lett 230(2) 140-142 Dluzen DE, Ramirez VD (1990) In vitro progesterone modulation of amphetamine-stimulated dopamine release from the corpus striatum of ovariectomized estrogen-treated female rats response characteristics. Brain Res 517(1-2) 117-122 Donny EC, Caggiula AR, et al (2000) Nicotine self-administration in rats estrous cycle effects, sex differences and nicotinic receptor binding. Psychopharmacology 151(4) 392-405... 

Regardless of their source of synthesis, glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, androgens, estrogens, and progestins exert their effects on the brain through... 

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