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Role of estrogen receptor alpha and beta expression and signaling on cognitive function during aging
Author(s) -
Foster Thomas C.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
hippocampus
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.767
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1098-1063
pISSN - 1050-9631
DOI - 10.1002/hipo.20935
Subject(s) - synaptogenesis , estrogen receptor , estrogen receptor alpha , estrogen receptor beta , hippocampal formation , estrogen , receptor , transcription factor , neuroscience , signal transduction , endocrinology , alpha (finance) , neuroprotection , beta (programming language) , medicine , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , psychology , developmental psychology , genetics , computer science , programming language , construct validity , cancer , breast cancer , gene , psychometrics
Abstract This review presents evidence for the idea that the expression of estrogen receptor alpha and beta (ERα and ERβ) interacts with the level of estradiol (E2) to influence the etiology of age‐related cognitive decline and responsiveness to E2 treatments. There is a nonmonotonic dose response curve for E2 influences on behavior and transcription. Evidence is mounting to indicate that the dose response curve is shifted according to the relative expression of ERα and ERβ. Recent work characterizing age‐related changes in the expression of ERα and ERβ in the hippocampus, as well as studies using mutant mice, and viral mediated delivery of estrogen receptors indicate that an age‐related shift in ERα/ERβ expression, combined with declining gonadal E2 can impact transcription, cell signaling, neuroprotection, and neuronal growth. Finally, the role of ERα/ERβ on rapid E2 signaling and synaptogenesis as it relates to hippocampal aging is discussed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.