Effects of Estrogen on Cholinergic Activity and NGF Responses in Brain

吉布斯9630851 性腺类固醇激素对中枢神经系统有显著的和不同的作用。 然而，这些强大激素的受体并不局限于大脑中与生殖有关的区域，在海马体和大脑皮层也有发现。 这些区域接收来自含有神经递质乙酰胆碱的神经元的密集输入。 胆碱能神经元在学习记忆中起重要作用，并可能受到多种因素的影响，包括雌激素。 雌激素的这种作用可能部分由生长因子介导。 在该奖项支持的实验中，正在研究雌激素对乙酰胆碱能功能和生长因子产生的影响。 这些研究将为雌激素影响认知功能的机制提供重要的新信息。 随着人口老龄化，雌激素水平下降，以及这对认知功能的影响对于改善普通人群的生活质量至关重要。

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.