Hormonal Determinants of Brain Development

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The proposed studies deal with the neurobiological role of the gonadal steroids in the differentiation and development of the rodent cerebral cortex. Using primarily a tissue culture approach, the experiments are designed to define ontogenetic aspects of the cortical estrogen receptor and to characterize the importance of receptor/estrogen interactions for the normal development of both the receptor and the receptor.containing cells. Dr. Toran.Allerand will examine: (1) the effects of estrogen on defined cell populations (neurons and neuroglia), and (2) estrogen regulation of genes encoding cytoskeletal proteins and the gene products associated with neurite growth. The results of this research will yield important new information on the neurobiological role of cortical estrogen receptors. The planned experiments offer a novel approach to a better understanding of the epigenetic influences which normally modulate cerebral cortical development, with relevance for the genesis of congenital disorders of neural development.