Effects of Estrogen on Cholinergic Activity and NGF Responses in Brain

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Gibbs 9630851 The gonadal steroid hormones have marked and various effects on the central nervous system. However, the receptors for these powerful hormones are not restricted to areas of the brain involved in reproduction, but are also found in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. These areas receive dense input from neurons containing the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. It has long been postulated that the cholinergic neurons play an important role in learning and memory and may be influenced by a variety of factors, including estrogen. This effect of estrogen may be mediated, in part, by growth factors. In the experiments supported by this award, the effects of estrogen on acetylcholinergic function and growth factor production are being investigated. These studies will provide significant new information regarding the mechanisms by which estrogens influence cognitive function. As populations age, estrogen levels decline and how this impacts on cognitive function is crucial to improving the quality of life of the general population.