Stages of estrous mediate the stress-induced impairment of associative learning in the female rat

Shors, Tracey J.; Lewczyk, Caroline; Pacynski, Martin; Mathew, Pramod R.; Pickett, Jane

doi:10.1097/00001756-199802160-00012

Cited by 140 publications

(107 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…1B) (Shors et al, 2000 for review;Shors, 2000Shors, , 1998Beylin and Shors, 1998;Servatius and Shors, 1994;Shors et al, 1992). In contrast, exposure to the very same stressor dramatically impaired conditioning in females (Wood and Shors, 1998;Shors et al, 1998;Wood et al, 2000) (Fig. 1A and 1B).…”

Section: A Stress-induced Performance Deficit In the Female Ratmentioning

confidence: 93%

Estrogen-mediated effects on depression and memory formation in females

Shors

Leuner

2003

Journal of Affective Disorders

158

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Women are twice as likely to suffer from depression as men. It has been proposed that the ovarian hormones estrogen and progesterone contribute to the higher incidence of this potentially debilitating disorder. Depression can also be accompanied by a loss of cognitive performance. Here we review estrogen-mediated effects on depression and memory formation in females. We propose that changes in levels of estrogen are associated with sex differences in learning as well as changes in affect prior to menses, immediately after pregnancy and during perimenopause and the menopausal transition. Finally, we discuss the animal model of depression known as 'learned helplessness' and describe research from our laboratory demonstrating that exposure to an acute stressful experience compromises a female's later ability to acquire certain types of new memories. This response to stressful experience is opposite to that observed in males and is dependent on the presence of estrogen, and more specifically-changing levels of estrogen. This observation indicates that females and males can use different hormonal and neural mechanisms to respond to the same emotional event and underscore the importance of studying the unique and changing biology of females, especially when considering treatment strategies for depression and stress-related illness.

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Section: A Stress-induced Performance Deficit In the Female Ratmentioning

confidence: 93%

Estrogen-mediated effects on depression and memory formation in females

Shors

Leuner

2003

Journal of Affective Disorders

158

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“…It has also been demonstrated that the most severe stress-induced impairment occurred during proestrus, the estrus phase in which estrogen levels are highest. 32 In contrast, estrogen appears to facilitate spatial processing during stress 29 , indicating that estrogen's role in the stress response likely varies throughout the brain, enhancing function in some areas, while debilitating others.…”

Section: Estrogen Influences On Non-pfc Functions During Stressmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estrogen mediates sex differences in stress-induced prefrontal cortex dysfunction

et al. 2003

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Many anxiety disorders, as well as major depressive disorder (MDD), are at least twice as prevalent in women as in men, but the neurobiological basis of this discrepancy has not been well studied. MDD is often precipitated by exposure to uncontrollable stress, and is frequently characterized by abnormal or disrupted prefrontal cortex (PFC) function. In animals, exposure to stress has been shown to cause PFC dysfunction, but sex differences in this effect have not been investigated. The present study tested male and female rats on a PFC-dependent working memory task after administration of FG7142, a benzodiazepine inverse agonist that activates stress systems in the brain. Female rats were impaired by lower doses than males during proestrus (high estrogen), but not during estrus (low estrogen). Similarly, ovariectomized females showed increased stress sensitivity only after estrogen replacement. These results suggest that estrogen amplifies the stress response in PFC, which may increase susceptibility to stress-related disorders.

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“…More recent in vitro studies have demonstrated that the estradiolinduced increase in spine density increases the sensitivity of the cells to N-methyl-Daspartate receptor-mediated synaptic input (28). There are a number of studies suggesting that learning ability varies over the course of the estrous cycle in female rats (29)(30)(31)(32)(33), although several other studies have not found any changes (34,35). In addition, estrogen replacement therapy appears to preserve memory function in post-menopausal women (36,37), as well as in ovariectomized female rats (38).…”

Section: Role Of Hormones In Brain Development and Cognitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cognitive effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in animals.

Schantz

Widholm

2001

Environ Health Perspect

221

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A large number of chemical pollutants including phthalates, alkylphenolic compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, organochlorine pesticides, bisphenol A, and metals including lead, mercury, and cadmium have the ability to disrupt endocrine function in animals. Some of these same chemicals have been shown to alter cognitive function in animals and humans. Because hormonally mediated events play a central role in central nervous system development and function, a number of researchers have speculated that the changes in cognitive function are mediated by the endocrine-like actions of these chemicals. In this paper we review the evidence that cognitive effects of chemicals classified as environmental endocrine disruptors are mediated by changes in hormonal function. We begin by briefly reviewing the role of gonadal steroids, thyroid hormones, and glucocorticoids in brain development and brain function. We then review the endocrine changes and cognitive effects that have been reported for selected endocrine-disrupting chemicals, discuss the evidence for causal relationships between endocrine disruption and cognitive effects, and suggest directions for future research.

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Stages of estrous mediate the stress-induced impairment of associative learning in the female rat

Cited by 140 publications

References 13 publications

Estrogen-mediated effects on depression and memory formation in females

Estrogen-mediated effects on depression and memory formation in females

Estrogen mediates sex differences in stress-induced prefrontal cortex dysfunction

Cognitive effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in animals.

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