Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2010 Oct;1800(10):1056-67.
doi: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2010.01.006. Epub 2010 Jan 25.

Influence of different estrogens on neuroplasticity and cognition in the hippocampus

Affiliations
Review

Influence of different estrogens on neuroplasticity and cognition in the hippocampus

Cindy K Barha et al. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2010 Oct.

Abstract

Background: Estrogens modulate the morphology and function of the hippocampus. Recent studies have focused on the effects of different types of estrogens on neuroplasticity in the hippocampus and cognition. There are three main forms of estrogens found in mammals: estradiol, estrone, and estriol. The vast majority of studies have used estradiol to investigate the effects of estrogens on the brain.

Scope of review: This review focuses on the effects of different estrogens on adult hippocampal neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus, and cognition in female rats.

Major conclusions: Different forms of estrogens modulate neuroplasticity and cognition in complex and intriguing ways. Specifically, estrogens upregulate adult hippocampal neurogenesis (via cell proliferation) and synaptic protein levels in the hippocampus in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Low levels of estradiol facilitate spatial working memory and contextual fear conditioning while high levels of estradiol impair spatial working, spatial reference memory and contextual fear conditioning. In addition, estrone impairs contextual fear conditioning.

General significance: Advances in our knowledge of how estrogens exert their effects on the brain may ultimately lead to refinements in targeted therapies for cognitive impairments at all stages of life. However caution should be taken in interpreting current research and in conducting future studies as estrogens likely work differently in males than in females.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

Cited by

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources