Ovarian steroidal control of connectivity in the female hippocampus: An overview of recent experimental findings and speculations on its functional consequences

Desmond, Nancy L.; Levy, William B.

doi:10.1002/(sici)1098-1063(1997)7:2<239::aid-hipo10>3.0.co;2-1

Cited by 66 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 80 publications

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“…The rate of dentate gyrus neurogenesis is increased by both estrogen and BDNF [72][73][74][75]. The influence of both estrogen and BDNF also applies to glia [76][77][78], although this is not as well documented as their effects on neurons. In summary, it is remarkable how similar estradiol and BDNF are in their diversity and their mechanisms of action on hippocampal cells.…”

Section: Comparison Of Estrogen and Bdnf Actions In Hippocampus-mentioning

confidence: 99%

Estrogen and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in hippocampus: Complexity of steroid hormone-growth factor interactions in the adult CNS

Scharfman

MacLusky

2006

Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology

270

202

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In the CNS, there are widespread and diverse interactions between growth factors and estrogen. Here we examine the interactions of estrogen and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), two molecules that have historically been studied separately, despite the fact that they seem to share common targets, effects, and mechanisms of action. The demonstration of an estrogen-sensitive response element on the BDNF gene provided an impetus to explore a direct relationship between estrogen and BDNF, and predicted that the effects of estrogen, at least in part, might be due to the induction of BDNF. This hypothesis is discussed with respect to the hippocampus, where substantial evidence has accumulated in favor of it, but alternate hypotheses are also raised. It is suggested that some of the interactions between estrogen and BDNF, as well as the controversies and implications associated with their respective actions, may be best appreciated in light of the ability of BDNF to induce neuropeptide Y (NPY) synthesis in hippocampal neurons. Taken together, this tri-molecular cascade, estrogen-BDNF-NPY, may be important in understanding the hormonal regulation of hippocampal function. It may also be relevant to other regions of the CNS where estrogen is known to exert profound effects, such as amygdala and hypothalamus; and may provide greater insight into neurological disorders and psychiatric illness, including Alzheimer's disease, depression and epilepsy.

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Section: Comparison Of Estrogen and Bdnf Actions In Hippocampus-mentioning

confidence: 99%

Estrogen and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in hippocampus: Complexity of steroid hormone-growth factor interactions in the adult CNS

Scharfman

MacLusky

2006

Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology

270

202

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“…Although the hypothalamus is the most obvious target to study for steroid-induced plasticity, it is becoming increasingly clear that other brain regions, including hippocampus, respond to hormones such as estradiol with increases in dendritic spine number and density (Woolley & McEwen, 1992;Hao et al, 2003) and increased expression of synaptic proteins (Brake et al, 2001). Estrogens alter hippocampal excitability (Scharfman et al, 2003;reviewed in Woolley & Schwartzkroin, 1998) and, although this area of research is controversial, appear to play roles in hippocampus-dependent learning and memory (reviewed in Asthana, 2004;Desmond & Levy, 1997;Gibbs & Gabor, 2003). The effects of estrogens are mediated in part by estrogen receptors, probably the estrogen receptor alpha, expressed in the hippocampus, including CA1 (Orikasa et al, 2000) or non-nuclear estrogen receptors (Shingo & Kito, 2005;Kuroki et al, 2000).…”

Section: Hippocampal Plasticity and Pubertymentioning

confidence: 99%

Postpubertal decrease in hippocampal dendritic spines of female rats

Yıldırım

Mapp

Janssen

et al. 2008

Experimental Neurology

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Hippocampal dendritic spine and synapse numbers in female rats vary across the estrous cycle and following experimental manipulation of hormone levels in adulthood. Based on behavioral studies demonstrating that learning patterns are altered following puberty, we hypothesized that dendritic spine number in rat hippocampal CA1 region would change post-pubertally. Female SpragueDawley rats were divided into prepubertal (postnatal day (P) 22), peripubertal (P35) and postpubertal (P49) groups, with the progression of puberty evaluated by vaginal opening, and estrous cyclicity subsequently assessed by daily vaginal smears. Spinophilin immunoreactivity in dendritic spines was used as an index of spinogenesis in area CA1 stratum radiatum (CA1sr) of hippocampus. First, electron microscopy analyses confirmed the presence of spinophilin specifically in dendritic spines of CA1sr, supporting spinophilin as a reliable marker of hippocampal spines in young female rats. Second, stereologic analysis was performed to assess the total number of spinophilin-immunoreactive puncta (i.e. spines) and CA1sr volume in developing rats. Our results indicated that the number of spinophilin-immunoreactive spines in CA1sr was decreased 46% in the post-pubertal group compared to the two younger groups, whereas the volume of the hippocampus underwent an overall increase during this same developmental time frame. Third, to determine a potential role of estradiol in this process, an additional group of rats was ovariectomized (OVX) prepubertally at P22, then treated with estradiol or vehicle at P35, and spinophilin quantified as above in rats perfused on P49. No difference in spinophilin puncta number was found in OVX rats between the two hormone groups, suggesting that this developmental decrease is independent of peripheral estradiol. These changes in spine density coincident with puberty may be related to altered hippocampal plasticity and synaptic consolidation at this phase of maturity.

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“…The variations of female sex hormones over the menstrual cycle in mammals are connected to neural changes, including structural as well as functional transformations in different brain regions (e.g., Czoty et al, 2009;Desmond and Levy, 1997;Olmos et al, 1989;Qiu et al, 2013;Woolley, 1998;Woolley and McEwen, 1993). Estrogen and progesterone, the two main ovarian steroids, have received most attention in this research field.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hippocampal volume and functional connectivity changes during the female menstrual cycle

et al. 2015

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Hippocampal volume has been shown to be sensitive to variations in estrogen and progesterone levels across rodents' estrous cycle. However, little is known about the covariation of hormone levels and brain structure in the course of the human menstrual cycle. Here, we examine this covariation with a multi-method approach that includes several brain imaging methods and hormonal assessments. We acquired structural and functional scans from 21 naturally cycling women on four time points during their cycles (early follicular phase, late follicular phase, ovulation and luteal phase). Hormone blood concentrations and cognitive performance in different domains were assessed on each of the measurement occasions. Structural MRI images were processed by means of whole-brain voxel-based morphometry and FreeSurfer. With either method, bilateral increases in hippocampal volume were found in the late follicular phase relative to the early follicular phase. The gray matter probability in regions of hippocampal volume increase was associated with lower mean diffusivity in the same region. In addition, we observed higher functional connectivity between the hippocampi and the bilateral superior parietal lobe in the late follicular phase. We did not find any reliable cycle-related performance variations on the cognitive tasks. The present results show that hormonal fluctuations covary with hippocampal structure and function in the course of the human menstrual cycle.

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Ovarian steroidal control of connectivity in the female hippocampus: An overview of recent experimental findings and speculations on its functional consequences

Cited by 66 publications

References 80 publications

Estrogen and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in hippocampus: Complexity of steroid hormone-growth factor interactions in the adult CNS

Estrogen and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in hippocampus: Complexity of steroid hormone-growth factor interactions in the adult CNS

Postpubertal decrease in hippocampal dendritic spines of female rats

Hippocampal volume and functional connectivity changes during the female menstrual cycle

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