Abstract
For quite a long-time we have known that estrogens can modulate brain activities and estrogen receptors (ER) are present in a number of brain regions [1]. However, the study of the activity of estrogens in the nervous system did not attract the attention of neuroscientists mainly for three reasons:
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a.
the existence of a prejudice that the role of sex steroids was strictly connected to sexual functions (e.g. modulation of gonadotropin release or control of sex-related behavior);
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b.
the lack of suitable model systems; and
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c.
the absence of a clear correlation between changing levels of blood sex steroid and manifestation of neurological disorders. In fact, the studies aimed at proving an involvement of sex steroids in the onset of affective disorders resulted in conflicting results and, to our knowledge, no consensus has not been reached to datewhether estrogen or progesterone has a favorable or negative effect on disorders like postmenopausal and postartum depression or premenstrual syndrome.
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Garnier, M., Agrati, P., Patrone, C., Santagati, S., Vegeto, E., Maggi, A. (1997). A Model System for the Study of Estrogen Receptor Activity in Cells of Neural Origin. In: Paoletti, R., Crosignani, P.G., Kenemans, P., Samsioe, G., Soma, M.R., Jackson, A.S. (eds) Women’s Health and Menopause. Medical Science Symposia Series, vol 11. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5560-1_31
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5560-1_31
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