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Kim H, Park B, Kim SY, Kim J, Kim B, Jung KI, Lee SY, Hyun Y, Kim BN, Park S, Park MH. Cerebellar Gray Matter Volume and its Role in Executive Function, and Attention: Sex Differences by Age in Adolescents. CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 20:621-634. [DOI: 10.9758/cpn.2022.20.4.621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hayeon Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Eunpyeong St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Bumhee Park
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
- Office of Biostatistics, Ajou Research Institute for Innovative Medicine, Ajou University Medical Center, Suwon, Korea
| | - Shin-Young Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Eunpyeong St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jiyea Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Eunpyeong St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Bora Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Eunpyeong St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyu-In Jung
- Department of Psychiatry, Eunpyeong St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung-Yup Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Eunpyeong St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yerin Hyun
- Department of Psychiatry, Eunpyeong St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Bung-Nyun Kim
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Subin Park
- Department of Research Planning, National Center for Mental Health, Seoul, Korea
| | - Min-Hyeon Park
- Department of Psychiatry, Eunpyeong St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
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2
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Ballard HK, Jackson TB, Hicks TH, Bernard JA. The association of reproductive stage with lobular cerebellar network connectivity across female adulthood. Neurobiol Aging 2022; 117:139-150. [PMID: 35738086 PMCID: PMC10149146 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2022.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Sex-specific differences in the aging cerebellum may be related to hormone changes with menopause. We evaluated the association between reproductive stage and lobular cerebellar network connectivity using data from the Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience repository. We used raw structural and resting state neuroimaging data and information regarding age, sex, and menopause-related variables. Crus I and II and Lobules V and VI were our cerebellar seeds of interest. We characterized reproductive stage using the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop criteria. Results show that postmenopausal females have lower cerebello-striatal and cerebello-cortical connectivity, particularly in frontal regions, along with lower connectivity within the cerebellum, compared to reproductive females. Postmenopausal females also exhibit greater connectivity in some brain areas as well. Differences begin to emerge across transitional stages of menopause. Further, results reveal sex-specific differences in connectivity between female reproductive groups and age-matched male control groups. This suggests that menopause may be associated with cerebellar network connectivity in aging females, and sex differences in the aging brain may be related to this biological process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah K Ballard
- Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
| | - T Bryan Jackson
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Tracey H Hicks
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Jessica A Bernard
- Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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3
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Day LB, Helmhout W, Pano G, Olsson U, Hoeksema JD, Lindsay WR. Correlated evolution of acrobatic display and both neural and somatic phenotypic traits in manakins (Pipridae). Integr Comp Biol 2021; 61:1343-1362. [PMID: 34143205 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icab139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Brightly colored manakin (Aves: Pipridae) males are known for performing acrobatic displays punctuated by non-vocal sounds (sonations) in order to attract dull colored females. The complexity of the display sequence and assortment of display elements involved (e.g., sonations, acrobatic maneuvers, and cooperative performances) varies considerably across manakin species. Species-specific display elements coevolve with display-distinct specializations of the neuroanatomical, muscular, endocrine, cardiovascular, and skeletal systems in the handful of species studied. Conducting a broader comparative study, we previously found positive associations between display complexity and both brain mass and body mass across 8 manakin genera, indicating selection for neural and somatic expansion to accommodate display elaboration. Whether this gross morphological variation is due to overall brain and body mass expansion (concerted evolution) versus size increases in only functionally relevant brain regions and growth of particular body ("somatic") features (mosaic evolution) remains to be explored. Here we test the hypothesis that cross-species variation in male brain mass and body mass is driven by mosaic evolution. We predicted positive associations between display complexity and variation in the volume of the cerebellum and sensorimotor arcopallium, brain regions which have roles in sensorimotor processes, and learning and performance of precisely timed and sequenced thoughts and movements, respectively. In contrast, we predicted no associations between the volume of a limbic arcopallial nucleus or a visual thalamic nucleus and display complexity as these regions have no-specific functional relationship to display behavior. For somatic features, we predicted that the relationship between body mass and complexity would not include contributions of tarsus length based on a recent study suggesting selection on tarsus length is less labile than body mass. We tested our hypotheses in males from 12 manakin species and a closely related flycatcher. Our analyses support mosaic evolution of neural and somatic features functionally relevant to display and indicate sexual selection for acrobatic complexity may increase the capacity for procedural learning via cerebellar enlargement and maneuverability via a reduction in tarsus length in species with lower overall complexity scores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lainy B Day
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, 30 University Avenue, University, MS 38677, USA.,Neuroscience Minor, University of Mississippi, 30 University Avenue, University, MS 38677, USA
| | - Wilson Helmhout
- Neuroscience Minor, University of Mississippi, 30 University Avenue, University, MS 38677, USA
| | - Glendin Pano
- Neuroscience Minor, University of Mississippi, 30 University Avenue, University, MS 38677, USA
| | - Urban Olsson
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 18, SE-413-90 Gothenburg, Sweden.,Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, Box 461, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jason D Hoeksema
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, 30 University Avenue, University, MS 38677, USA
| | - Willow R Lindsay
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, 30 University Avenue, University, MS 38677, USA.,Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 18, SE-413-90 Gothenburg, Sweden.,Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, Box 461, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
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Qu J, Li Y, Liao S, Yan J. The Effects of Negative Elements in Environment and Cancer on Female Reproductive System. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1300:283-313. [PMID: 33523439 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-33-4187-6_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
With the development of human society, factors that contribute to the impairment of female fertility is accumulating. Lifestyle-related risk factors, occupational risk factors, and iatrogenic factors, including cancer and anti-cancer treatments, have been recognized with their negative effects on the function of female reproductive system. However, the exact influences and their possible mechanism have not been elucidated yet. It is impossible to accurately estimate the indexes of female fertility, but many researchers have put forward that the general fertility has inclined through the past decades. Thus the demand for fertility preservation has increased more and more dramatically. Here we described some of the factors which may influence female reproductive system and methods for fertility preservation in response to female infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangxue Qu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuehan Li
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shujie Liao
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
| | - Jie Yan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
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Jung KI, Park MH, Park B, Kim SY, Kim YO, Kim BN, Park S, Song CH. Cerebellar Gray Matter Volume, Executive Function, and Insomnia: Gender Differences in Adolescents. Sci Rep 2019; 9:855. [PMID: 30696877 PMCID: PMC6351545 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37154-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The cerebellum is an important region responsible for adolescent cognitive function and sleep, and their correlation is expected to show different patterns depending on age and gender. We examined the regional cerebellar gray matter volume (GMV), executive function (EF) and insomnia symptoms to identify their correlation and gender differences in adolescents. Data for a total of 55 subjects' (M = 31, F = 24, 14.80 ± 1.39 years old) were analyzed. The correlations between cerebellar regional GMV and Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST) subcategories showed that EF was better with larger GMV both in males and females. Far more overall correlations with cerebellar regions were observed in boys, with corresponding correlation strength being higher, and differences in localization were also observed in contrast to girls. Larger cerebellar GMV corresponded to better EF in adolescents. Insomnia did not influence the correlations between cerebellar regional GMV and EF, but more severe insomnia in boys correlated to smaller GMV in the right flocculonodular lobe. These results might implicate that the adolescent cerebellum is involved differently in EF dependent on gender.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyu-In Jung
- Department of Psychiatry, St. Paul's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Hyeon Park
- Department of Psychiatry, St. Paul's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Bumhee Park
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea. .,Office of Biostatistics, Ajou Research Institute for Innovative Medicine, Ajou University Medical Center, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Shin-Young Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, St. Paul's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yae On Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, St. Paul's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Bung-Nyun Kim
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Subin Park
- Department of Research Planning, National Center for Mental Health, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan-Hee Song
- Department of Family Medicine, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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6
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Hedges VL, Chen G, Yu L, Krentzel AA, Starrett JR, Zhu JN, Suntharalingam P, Remage-Healey L, Wang JJ, Ebner TJ, Mermelstein PG. Local Estrogen Synthesis Regulates Parallel Fiber-Purkinje Cell Neurotransmission Within the Cerebellar Cortex. Endocrinology 2018; 159:1328-1338. [PMID: 29381778 PMCID: PMC5839732 DOI: 10.1210/en.2018-00039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Estrogens affect cerebellar activity and cerebellum-based behaviors. Within the adult rodent cerebellum, the best-characterized action of estradiol is to enhance glutamatergic signaling. However, the mechanisms by which estradiol promotes glutamatergic neurotransmission remain unknown. Within the mouse cerebellum, we found that estrogen receptor activation of metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1a strongly enhances neurotransmission at the parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapse. The blockade of local estrogen synthesis within the cerebellum results in a diminution of glutamatergic neurotransmission. Correspondingly, decreased estrogen availability via gonadectomy or blockade of aromatase activity negatively affects locomotor performance. These data indicate that locally derived, and not just gonad-derived, estrogens affect cerebellar physiology and function. In addition, estrogens were found to facilitate parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synaptic transmission in both sexes. As such, the actions of estradiol to support cerebellar neurotransmission and cerebellum-based behaviors might be fundamental to understanding the normal processing of activity within the cerebellar cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie L. Hedges
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Lei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Amanda A. Krentzel
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Joseph R. Starrett
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Jing-Ning Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | | | - Luke Remage-Healey
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Jian-Jun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Department of Biological Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Timothy J. Ebner
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Paul G. Mermelstein
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
- Correspondence: Paul G. Mermelstein, PhD, Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, 6-145 Jackson Hall, 321 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455. E-mail:
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7
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Manto M, Hampe CS. Endocrine disorders and the cerebellum: from neurodevelopmental injury to late-onset ataxia. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2018; 155:353-368. [PMID: 29891071 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-64189-2.00023-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Hormonal disorders are a source of cerebellar ataxia in both children and adults. Normal development of the cerebellum is critically dependent on thyroid hormone, which crosses both the blood-brain barrier and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier thanks to specific transporters, including monocarboxylate transporter 8 and the organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1C1. In particular, growth and dendritic arborization of Purkinje neurons, synaptogenesis, and myelination are dependent on thyroid hormone. Disturbances of thyroid hormone may also impact on cerebellar ataxias of other origin, decompensating or aggravating the pre-existing ataxia manifesting with motor ataxia, oculomotor ataxia, and/or Schmahmann syndrome. Parathyroid disorders are associated with a genuine cerebellar syndrome, but symptoms may be subtle. The main conditions combining diabetes and cerebellar ataxia are Friedreich ataxia, ataxia associated with anti-GAD antibodies, autoimmune polyglandular syndromes, aceruloplasminemia, and cerebellar ataxia associated with hypogonadism (especially Holmes ataxia/Boucher-Neuhäuser syndrome). The general workup of cerebellar disorders should include the evaluation of hormonal status, including thyroid-stimulating hormone and free thyroxine levels, and hormonal replacement should be considered depending on the laboratory results. Cerebellar deficits may be reversible in some cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Manto
- Neurology Service, CHU-Charleroi, Charleroi, Belgium; Neuroscience Service, Université de Mons, Mons, Belgium.
| | - Christiane S Hampe
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
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Li XM, Yang Q, Li XB, Cheng Q, Zhang K, Han J, Zhao JN, Liu G, Zhao MG. Estrogen-like neuroprotection of isopsoralen against spinal cord injury through estrogen receptor ERα. Metab Brain Dis 2017; 32:259-265. [PMID: 27670769 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-016-9913-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Isopsoralen is a type of furocoumarin that exhibits estrogen-like activities. The aim of this study was to determine the estrogen-like neuroprotection of isopsoralen in an animal model of spinal cord injury (SCI). Results indicated that isopsoralen (intraperitoneal injection of 5 and 10 mg/kg per day for two weeks) significantly enhanced the hindlimb locomotor functions of mice with SCI, as revealed in the BMS score and angle of inclined plane tests. Morphological data showed that isopsoralen significantly attenuated the injury of the gray matter of spinal cord and induced the up-regulation of ERα levels. The neuroprotective effects of isopsolaren were blocked by the ERα antagonist MPP (0.3 mg/kg), but not by the ERβ receptor antagonist PHTPP (0.3 mg/kg). Isopsolaren treatment increased phosphorylated PI3K and AKT (P-PI3K and P-AKT) in the spinal cord of SCI mice and showed a significant anti-apoptotic activity. These results suggest that isopsoralen performs estrogen-like neuroprotection against SCI-induced apoptosis by activating ERα and regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Ming Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Jinling Hospital, Clinical School of Nanjing, Second Military Medical University, Nanjing, 210002, China
| | - Qi Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Xu-Bo Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Qiang Cheng
- Department of Orthopedics, Jinling Hospital, Clinical School of Nanjing, Second Military Medical University, Nanjing, 210002, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Jing Han
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Jian-Ning Zhao
- Department of Orthopedics, Jinling Hospital, Clinical School of Nanjing, Second Military Medical University, Nanjing, 210002, China.
| | - Gang Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Jinling Hospital, Clinical School of Nanjing, Second Military Medical University, Nanjing, 210002, China.
- Jinling Hospital, Department of Orthopedics, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210002, China.
| | - Ming-Gao Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
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Polimanti R, Simonelli I, Zappasodi F, Ventriglia M, Pellicciari MC, Benussi L, Squitti R, Rossini PM, Tecchio F. Biological factors and age-dependence of primary motor cortex experimental plasticity. Neurol Sci 2015; 37:211-8. [PMID: 26445942 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-015-2388-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2015] [Accepted: 09/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
To evaluate whether the age-dependence of brain plasticity correlates with the levels of proteins involved in hormone and brain functions we executed a paired associative stimulation (PAS) protocol and blood tests. We measured the PAS-induced plasticity in the primary motor cortex. Blood levels of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), estradiol, the insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, the insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-3, progesterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), testosterone, and the transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) were determined in 15 healthy men and 20 healthy women. We observed an age-related reduction of PAS-induced plasticity in females that it is not present in males. In females, PAS-induced plasticity displayed a correlation with testosterone (p = 0.006) that became a trend after the adjustment for the age effect (p = 0.078). In males, IGF-1 showed a nominally significant correlation with the PAS-induced plasticity (p = 0.043). In conclusion, we observed that hormone blood levels (testosterone in females and IGF-1 in males) may be involved in the age-dependence of brain plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renato Polimanti
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ilaria Simonelli
- Department of Imaging and Neurodegeneration Laboratory, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy
- Medical Statistics and Information Technology and Department of Neuroscience, Fatebenefratelli Foundation, AFaR Division, Fatebenefratelli Hospital-Isola Tiberina, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Zappasodi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy
- Institute of Advanced Biomedical Technologies, University "G. d'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy
| | - Mariacarla Ventriglia
- Medical Statistics and Information Technology and Department of Neuroscience, Fatebenefratelli Foundation, AFaR Division, Fatebenefratelli Hospital-Isola Tiberina, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Concetta Pellicciari
- Cognitive Neuroscience Section and Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Luisa Benussi
- Cognitive Neuroscience Section and Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Rosanna Squitti
- Department of Imaging and Neurodegeneration Laboratory, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy
- Medical Statistics and Information Technology and Department of Neuroscience, Fatebenefratelli Foundation, AFaR Division, Fatebenefratelli Hospital-Isola Tiberina, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Maria Rossini
- Department of Imaging and Neurodegeneration Laboratory, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Franca Tecchio
- Department of Imaging and Neurodegeneration Laboratory, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy.
- Laboratory of Electrophysiology for Translational neuroScience (LET'S), Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (ISTC), National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy.
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10
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Chen X, Li J, Chen J, Li D, Ye R, Zhang J, Zhu C, Tian Y, Wang K. Decision-making impairments in breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen. Horm Behav 2014; 66:449-56. [PMID: 25036869 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2013] [Revised: 07/02/2014] [Accepted: 07/09/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen (TAM) is most commonly prescribed for patients with hormone-sensitive breast cancer. Although TAM can bind to estrogen receptors in the nervous system, it is unknown whether it acts as an estrogen agonist or antagonist in the human brain. Several studies have reported the negative effects of TAM on cognitive function; however, its effects on decision-making function have not been previously explored. The present study aimed to investigate the decision-making function under ambiguity and risk in breast cancer patients treated with TAM. Participants included breast cancer patients taking TAM (TAM, n=47) and breast cancer patients not taking TAM (non-TAM, n=45) as well as their matched healthy controls (HC, n=50). All participants were given the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) to assess their decision-making under conditions involving ambiguity, the Game of Dice Task (GDT) to assess their decision-making under conditions involving risk, and a battery of neuropsychological tests. Our results indicated that patients in the TAM group were significantly impaired as assessed by both the IGT and GDT and performed significantly worse on some aspects of various tasks involving memory and information processing. Furthermore, we found that decreased performance on verbal memory testing significantly correlated with IGT performance, and executive dysfunction was associated with poor GDT performance in breast cancer patients undergoing TAM treatment. This study demonstrates that breast cancer patients taking TAM have several decision-making impairments. These findings may support the idea that TAM resulting in cognitive changes plays an antagonistic role in the areas of the brain where estrogen receptors are present, including the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and amygdala.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingui Chen
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jingjing Li
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Department of Oncology, The Second Hospital of Zhejiang University College of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Juluo Chen
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Dandan Li
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Rong Ye
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jingjie Zhang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Chunyan Zhu
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yanghua Tian
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
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11
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Kara A, Unal D, Simsek N, Yucel A, Yucel N, Selli J. Ultra-structural changes and apoptotic activity in cerebellum of post-menopausal-diabetic rats: a histochemical and ultra-structural study. Gynecol Endocrinol 2014; 30:226-31. [PMID: 24397360 DOI: 10.3109/09513590.2013.864270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common and chronic diseases, especially in post-menopausal periods. Neuro-degeneration occurs more frequently in post-menopausal diabetics. Therefore, we investigated ovariectomized rats cerebellar cortex response to the estradiol deficiency and hyperglycemia. For the ovariectomy, the rats were bilaterally ovariectomized, and then DM induced by a single dose of Alloxan monohydrate injection in ovariectomy or/and diabetic groups. During light and electron microscopic examination, degenerated Purkinje cells membrane, swollen organelles, degenerated mitochondria, edema formation and vacuolization were seen in the ovariectomy and ovariectomy-diabetic groups sections. In addition, increased apoptotic activity was observed in the ovariectomy and ovariectomy-diabetic groups compared to the control group. We demonstrated that estradiol and insulin deficiency can affect the cerebellar cortex, which support the hypothesis that the execution of neuronal damages in post-menopausal diabetics. Also, diabetes and menopause are major risks factors for many disorders including nervous system and the number of post-menopausal-diabetics are increasing world-wide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adem Kara
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
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Ryan J, Artero S, Carrière I, Scali J, Maller JJ, Meslin C, Ritchie K, Scarabin PY, Ancelin ML. Brain volumes in late life: gender, hormone treatment, and estrogen receptor variants. Neurobiol Aging 2014; 35:645-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2013.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Revised: 09/14/2013] [Accepted: 09/19/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Rapkin AJ, Berman SM, London ED. The Cerebellum and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. AIMS Neurosci 2014; 1:120-141. [PMID: 28275721 PMCID: PMC5338637 DOI: 10.3934/neuroscience.2014.2.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The cerebellum constitutes ten percent of brain volume and contains the majority of brain neurons. Although it was historically viewed primarily as processing motoric computations, current evidence supports a more comprehensive role, where cerebro-cerebellar feedback loops also modulate various forms of cognitive and affective processing. Here we present evidence for a role of the cerebellum in premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which is characterized by severe negative mood symptoms during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Although a link between menstruation and cyclical dysphoria has long been recognized, neuroscientific investigations of this common disorder have only recently been explored. This article reviews functional and structural brain imaging studies of PMDD and the similar but less well defined condition of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The most consistent findings are that women with premenstrual dysphoria exhibit greater relative activity than other women in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and posterior lobules VI and VII of the neocerebellum. Since both brain areas have been implicated in emotional processing and mood disorders, working memory and executive functions, this greater activity probably represents coactivation within a cerebro-cerebellar feedback loop regulating emotional and cognitive processing. Some of the evidence suggests that increased activity within this circuit may preserve cerebellar structure during aging, and possible mechanisms and implications of this finding are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea J Rapkin
- USA David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Box 951740, 27-139 CHS, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Steven M Berman
- Center for Addictive Behaviors, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA, 90095 USA
| | - Edythe D London
- Center for Addictive Behaviors, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA, 90095 USA; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, and Brain Research Institute, UCLA, 90095 USA
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Evolution and the variation of mammalian sex ratios at birth: Reflections on Trivers and Willard (1973). J Theor Biol 2013; 334:141-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2013.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Revised: 06/12/2013] [Accepted: 06/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Miller VM, Garovic VD, Kantarci K, Barnes JN, Jayachandran M, Mielke MM, Joyner MJ, Shuster LT, Rocca WA. Sex-specific risk of cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline: pregnancy and menopause. Biol Sex Differ 2013; 4:6. [PMID: 23537114 PMCID: PMC3623746 DOI: 10.1186/2042-6410-4-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2012] [Accepted: 03/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the biology of sex differences is integral to personalized medicine. Cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline are two related conditions, with distinct sex differences in morbidity and clinical manifestations, response to treatments, and mortality. Although mortality from all-cause cardiovascular diseases has declined in women over the past five years, due in part to increased educational campaigns regarding the recognition of symptoms and application of treatment guidelines, the mortality in women still exceeds that of men. The physiological basis for these differences requires further research, with particular attention to two physiological conditions which are unique to women and associated with hormonal changes: pregnancy and menopause. Both conditions have the potential to impact life-long cardiovascular risk, including cerebrovascular function and cognition in women. This review draws on epidemiological, translational, clinical, and basic science studies to assess the impact of hypertensive pregnancy disorders on cardiovascular disease and cognitive function later in life, and examines the effects of post-menopausal hormone treatments on cardiovascular risk and cognition in midlife women. We suggest that hypertensive pregnancy disorders and menopause activate vascular components, i.e., vascular endothelium and blood elements, including platelets and leukocytes, to release cell-membrane derived microvesicles that are potential mediators of changes in cerebral blood flow, and may ultimately affect cognition in women as they age. Research into specific sex differences for these disease processes with attention to an individual's sex chromosomal complement and hormonal status is important and timely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia M Miller
- Departments of Surgery and Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Vesna D Garovic
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Kejal Kantarci
- Department of Radiology, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Jill N Barnes
- Department of Anesthesiology, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Muthuvel Jayachandran
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Michelle M Mielke
- Department of Health Science Research, Division of Epidemiology, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Michael J Joyner
- Department of Anesthesiology, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Lynne T Shuster
- Department of Internal Medicine, Women’s Health Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Walter A Rocca
- Department of Health Science Research, Division of Epidemiology, and Neurology, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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Hedges VL, Ebner TJ, Meisel RL, Mermelstein PG. The cerebellum as a target for estrogen action. Front Neuroendocrinol 2012; 33:403-11. [PMID: 22975197 PMCID: PMC3496070 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2012.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2012] [Revised: 08/20/2012] [Accepted: 08/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
This review focuses on the effects of estrogens upon the cerebellum, a brain region long ignored as a site of estrogen action. Highlighted are the diverse effects of estradiol within the cerebellum, emphasizing the importance of estradiol signaling in cerebellar development, modulation of synaptic neurotransmission in the adult, and the potential influence of estrogens on various health and disease states. We also provide new data, consistent with previous studies, in which locally synthesized estradiol modulates cerebellar glutamatergic neurotransmission, providing one underlying mechanism by which the actions of estradiol can affect this brain region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie L Hedges
- Department of Neuroscience and Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States
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17
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE The cognitive benefit of postmenopausal hormone use is controversial; however, timing of treatment close to menopause may increase the likelihood of preserving cognitive function. We examined the effects of early-initiation hormone use on visual working memory, hypothesizing that long-term hormone use is associated with greater brain activation during visual working memory. METHODS This was a cross-sectional comparison of long-term early hormone users-current (n = 13) and past (n = 24; 2.1 +/- 1.0 years off hormones)-with never users (n = 18), using a visual memory task and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We evaluated 55 women older than 60 years at the University of Michigan's General Clinical Research Center. Hormone users had completed at least 10 continuous years of conjugated equine estrogens with or without medroxyprogesterone acetate, begun within 2 years of menopause. Women were excluded for illness, medication, intermittent estrogen use, phytoestrogen use, recent smoking, and MRI contraindications. The primary outcome was functional MRI-detected brain activity during the visual memory task. RESULTS Compared with never users, both groups of hormone users had increased activation in the frontal and parietal cortices, insula, hippocampus, and cingulate; combined hormone users also had increased activation in the putamen and raphe (corrected P < 0.05 or uncorrected P < 0.001 with a priori hypothesis). Across the entire sample, the medial temporal cortex (P < 0.0001 right; P < 0.018 left) and right hippocampus (P < 0.0001) positively correlated with task performance. CONCLUSIONS Hormone use was associated with increased brain activation during the visual memory task, in regions used for visual working memory. A positive correlation between activation and task performance suggests that early-initiation, long-term postmenopausal hormone use may benefit visual working memory.
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19
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James WH. Potential solutions to problems posed by the offspring sex ratios of people with parasitic and viral infections. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2010; 57:114-20. [DOI: 10.14411/fp.2010.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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20
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Abstract
The pros and cons of estrogen therapy for use in postmenopausal women continue to be a major topic of debate in women's health. Much of this debate focuses on the potential benefits vs. harm of estrogen therapy on the brain and the risks for cognitive impairment associated with aging and Alzheimer's disease. Many animal and human studies suggest that estrogens can have significant beneficial effects on brain aging and cognition and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's-related dementia; however, others disagree. Important discoveries have been made, and hypotheses have emerged that may explain some of the inconsistencies. This review focuses on the cholinergic hypothesis, specifically on evidence that beneficial effects of estrogens on brain aging and cognition are related to interactions with cholinergic projections emanating from the basal forebrain. These cholinergic projections play an important role in learning and attentional processes, and their function is known to decline with advanced age and in association with Alzheimer's disease. Evidence suggests that many of the effects of estrogens on neuronal plasticity and function and cognitive performance are related to or rely upon interactions with these cholinergic projections; however, studies also suggest that the effectiveness of estrogen therapy decreases with age and time after loss of ovarian function. We propose a model in which deficits in basal forebrain cholinergic function contribute to age-related changes in the response to estrogen therapy. Based on this model, we propose that cholinergic-enhancing drugs, used in combination with an appropriate estrogen-containing drug regimen, may be a viable therapeutic strategy for use in older postmenopausal women with early evidence of mild cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert B Gibbs
- University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, 1004 Salk Hall, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA.
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21
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Voytko ML, Tinkler GP, Browne C, Tobin JR. Neuroprotective effects of estrogen therapy for cognitive and neurobiological profiles of monkey models of menopause. Am J Primatol 2009; 71:794-801. [PMID: 19475542 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.20705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Many postmenopausal women question whether to start or continue hormone therapy because of recent clinical trial negative results. However, evidence from other studies of postmenopausal women, and from studies in menopausal monkeys, indicate that estrogen has neurocognitive protective effects, particularly when therapy is initiated close to the time of menopause before neural systems become increasingly compromised with age. In this review, we present studies of menopausal women and female monkeys that support the concept that estrogen therapies protect both cognitive function and neurobiological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Lou Voytko
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA.
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22
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Executive function and attention are preserved in older surgically menopausal monkeys receiving estrogen or estrogen plus progesterone. J Neurosci 2009; 29:10362-70. [PMID: 19692611 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1591-09.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal models of menopause have been used to further define the cognitive processes that respond to hormone therapy and to investigate parameters that may influence the cognitive effects of estrogen. Many investigations in animals have focused on memory; however, the effects of hormone therapy on executive function and attention processes have not been well studied. Thus, the purpose of this set of investigations was to assess the effects of estrogen therapy alone or with progesterone on executive and attention processes in middle-aged ovariectomized monkeys. Monkeys were preoperatively trained on a modified version of the Wisconsin card sort task and on a visual cued reaction time task. Hormone therapy was initiated at the time of ovariectomy and cognitive function was reassessed at 2, 12, and 24 weeks postoperatively. Relative to monkeys receiving either of the estrogen therapies, monkeys receiving placebo were impaired in their ability to shift a cognitive set in the Wisconsin card sort task and were impaired in shifting visuospatial attention in the visual cued reaction time task. Our findings are consistent with clinical studies that indicate that hormone therapy can improve executive function and attention processes in postmenopausal women.
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23
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Spence RD, Zhen Y, White S, Schlinger BA, Day LB. Recovery of motor and cognitive function after cerebellar lesions in a songbird: role of estrogens. Eur J Neurosci 2009; 29:1225-34. [PMID: 19302157 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2009.06685.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In addition to its key role in complex motor function, the cerebellum is increasingly recognized to have a role in cognition. Songbirds are particularly good models for the investigation of motor and cognitive processes but little is known about the role of the songbird cerebellum in these processes. To explore cerebellar function in a songbird, we lesioned the cerebellum of adult female zebra finches and examined the effects on a spatial working memory task and on motor function during this task. There is evidence for steroid synthesis in the songbird brain and neurosteroids may have an impact on some forms of neural plasticity in adult songbirds. We therefore hypothesized that neurosteroids would affect motor and cognitive function after a cerebellar injury. We found that cerebellar lesions produced deficits in motor and cognitive aspects of a spatial task. In line with our prediction, birds in which estrogen synthesis was blocked had impaired performance in our spatial task compared with those that had estrogen synthesis blocked but estrogen replaced. There was no clear effect of estrogen replacement on motor function. We also found that lesions induced expression of the estrogen synthetic enzyme aromatase in reactive astrocytes and Bergmann glia around a cerebellar lesion. These data suggest that the cerebellum of songbirds mediates both motor and cognitive function and that estrogens may improve the recovery of cognitive aspects of cerebellar function after injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rory D Spence
- Department of Physiological Science and Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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24
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test whether current gray matter volume (GMV) covaried with previously obtained longitudinal measures of weight gain-as assessed by increases in body mass index (BMI)-among otherwise healthy postmenopausal women. Cross-sectional results indicate that reduced GMV may be associated with excess body weight. METHODS Demographic, biometric, and behavioral measures were obtained from 48 women as part of the Pittsburgh Healthy Women Study, a longitudinal epidemiological investigation initiated between 1983 and 1984. In 2005 and 2006, these women took part in a brain imaging protocol. RESULTS Premenopausal BMI and a priori chosen confounding variables, including the number of years post menopause, an aggregate measure of perceived life stress spanning a 20-year period, resting blood pressure, total cerebral volume, and severity of white matter hyperintensities (a suspected indicator of aging-related silent cerebrovascular disease), explained approximately 22% of variance in total GMV. An additional 15% of the variance was uniquely explained by the change in BMI between pre- and postmenopausal longitudinal assessments, such that an increase in BMI predicted a greater reduction in GMV. CONCLUSIONS An increase in BMI during the menopausal transition and beyond is associated with reduced GMV among otherwise healthy women.
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25
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Craig MC, Fletcher PC, Daly EM, Picchioni MM, Brammer M, Giampietro V, Rymer J, McGuire PK, Maki PM, Murphy DGM. A study of visuospatial working memory pre- and post-Gonadotropin Hormone Releasing Hormone agonists (GnRHa) in young women. Horm Behav 2008; 54:47-59. [PMID: 18353329 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2008.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2007] [Revised: 01/18/2008] [Accepted: 01/18/2008] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Gonadotropin Hormone Releasing Hormone agonists (GnRHa) produce an acute decline in ovarian hormone production leading to a 'pseudo' menopause. This is therapeutically useful in the management of a variety of gynaecological conditions but also serves as a powerful model to study the effects of ovarian hormones on cognition. Animal and human behavioral studies report that memory is particularly sensitive to the effects ovarian hormone suppression (e.g. post GnRHa). Further, it has recently been reported that ovariectomy in young women increases the risk of cognitive impairment in later life. However, the underlying brain networks and/or stages of memory processing that might be modulated by acute ovarian hormone suppression remain poorly understood. We used event-related fMRI to examine the effect of GnRHa on visual working memory (VWM). Neuroimaging outcomes from 17 pre-menopausal healthy women were assessed at baseline and 8 weeks after GnRHa treatment. Seventeen matched wait-listed volunteers served as the control group and were assessed at similar intervals during the late follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. We report GnRHa was associated with attenuation of left parahippocampal (BA 35) and middle temporal gyri (BA 21 ,22, 39) activation, with a significant group-by-time interaction at left precuneus (BA 7) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) (BA 31) at encoding, and with cerebellar activation at recognition in the context of unimpaired behavioral responses. Our study suggests that acute ovarian hormone withdrawal following GnRHa, and perhaps at other times, (e.g. following surgical menopause and postpartum) alters the neural circuitry underlying performance of VWM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Craig
- Section of Brain Maturation (PO50), Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London, UK.
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26
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Boccardi M, Scassellati C, Ghidoni R, Testa C, Benussi L, Bonetti M, Bocchio-Chiavetto L, Gennarelli M, Binetti G, Frisoni GB. Effect of the XbaI polymorphism of estrogen receptor alpha on postmenopausal gray matter. Neurosci Lett 2008; 434:304-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2008.01.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2007] [Revised: 01/24/2008] [Accepted: 01/29/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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27
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Acute effect of intranasal estrogen on cerebral and cerebellar perfusion in postmenopausal women. Maturitas 2008; 59:72-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2007.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2007] [Revised: 10/05/2007] [Accepted: 10/09/2007] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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28
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Schumacher M, Guennoun R, Ghoumari A, Massaad C, Robert F, El-Etr M, Akwa Y, Rajkowski K, Baulieu EE. Novel perspectives for progesterone in hormone replacement therapy, with special reference to the nervous system. Endocr Rev 2007; 28:387-439. [PMID: 17431228 DOI: 10.1210/er.2006-0050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The utility and safety of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy has recently been put into question by large clinical trials. Their outcome has been extensively commented upon, but discussions have mainly been limited to the effects of estrogens. In fact, progestagens are generally only considered with respect to their usefulness in preventing estrogen stimulation of uterine hyperplasia and malignancy. In addition, various risks have been attributed to progestagens and their omission from hormone replacement therapy has been considered, but this may underestimate their potential benefits and therapeutic promises. A major reason for the controversial reputation of progestagens is that they are generally considered as a single class. Moreover, the term progesterone is often used as a generic one for the different types of both natural and synthetic progestagens. This is not appropriate because natural progesterone has properties very distinct from the synthetic progestins. Within the nervous system, the neuroprotective and promyelinating effects of progesterone are promising, not only for preventing but also for reversing age-dependent changes and dysfunctions. There is indeed strong evidence that the aging nervous system remains at least to some extent sensitive to these beneficial effects of progesterone. The actions of progesterone in peripheral target tissues including breast, blood vessels, and bones are less well understood, but there is evidence for the beneficial effects of progesterone. The variety of signaling mechanisms of progesterone offers exciting possibilities for the development of more selective, efficient, and safe progestagens. The recognition that progesterone is synthesized by neurons and glial cells requires a reevaluation of hormonal aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Schumacher
- INSERM UMR 788, 80, rue du Général Leclerc, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.
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29
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Rodriguez-Jimenez R, Hoenicka J, Jimenez-Arriero MA, Ponce G, Bagney A, Aragues M, Palomo T. Performance in the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and the C957T polymorphism of the DRD2 gene in healthy volunteers. Neuropsychobiology 2007; 54:166-70. [PMID: 17230034 DOI: 10.1159/000098652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2006] [Accepted: 11/13/2006] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Previous studies have associated a decreased striatal D2 dopamine receptor (DRD2) binding with impaired performance in cognitive tasks. In vivo studies have found a lower DRD2 binding associated with the CC genotype of the C957T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the DRD2 gene. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between executive functions and the C957T DRD2 SNP. We hypothesized that the CC genotype would be associated with a poorer executive functioning. METHODS Our sample consisted of 83 healthy volunteers (28 males and 55 females; mean age 25.2, SD 1.7 years). To assess executive functions, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test was used, considering the variables perseverative errors, perseverative responses, and number of categories achieved. The genotype distribution was 13 CC, 41 CT, and 29 TT, satisfying Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. RESULTS Carriers of the CC genotype, compared with carriers of the CT/TT genotypes, achieved significantly fewer categories (5.00 vs. 5.81; p = 0.004), made a greater number of perseverative errors (13.46 vs. 8.39; p = 0.018), and had a greater number of perseverative responses (14.92 vs. 8.94; p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS Our results support the hypothesis that the C957T DRD2 SNP may influence cognitive performance through its repercussions on central dopaminergic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Rodriguez-Jimenez
- Unidad de Alcoholismo y Patología Dual, Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.
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Gerber B, Dieterich M, Müller H, Reimer T. Controversies in preservation of ovary function and fertility in patients with breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2007; 108:1-7. [PMID: 17457668 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-007-9572-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2007] [Accepted: 03/16/2007] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Improved treatment of breast cancer in premenopausal patients increased survival rates, but the therapy may influence fertility and ovarian function. Currently there is a big public and individual interest of breast cancer affected women in preservation of ovarian function and fertility. Chemotherapy induced amenorrhea (CIA) has many objective (osteoporosis, cardiovascular, urogenital atrophy, cognitive etc.) and subjective (hot flushes, sleep disturbances, change of mood etc.) consequences. In patients with breast cancer who wish to avoid a CIA and to preserve their fertility ovarian protection by GnRH agonists, cryopreservation of operative sampled ovarian tissue or obtained fertilized or non-fertilized eggs after stimulation and puncture or embryos after in vitro fertilization are technically possible. However there are no evidence-based recommendations for preservation of fertility or ovarian function in breast cancer patients. Except the cryopreservation of embryos all other procedures are experimental. It is also undefined who is going to carry the costs. Moreover, there are recent data that the reappearance of ovarian hormones may stimulate occult tumor cells in hormone sensitive breast cancer. Therefore it seems necessary to inform breast cancer patients about the possible negative effects of preservation of ovarian function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd Gerber
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Rostock, Klinikum Südstadt Rostock, Südring 81, Rostock, Germany.
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Boccardi M, Ghidoni R, Govoni S, Testa C, Benussi L, Bonetti M, Binetti G, Frisoni GB. Effects of hormone therapy on brain morphology of healthy postmenopausal women: a Voxel-based morphometry study. Menopause 2006; 13:584-91. [PMID: 16837880 DOI: 10.1097/01.gme.0000196811.88505.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Estrogens are known to be protective in age-associated cognitive changes in humans and in neurodegeneration in animal models. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential effects of estrogen therapy (ET) on human gray matter volume in vivo. DESIGN Forty healthy postmenopausal women underwent three-dimensional high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging: 17 were never treated, 16 were currently receiving ET, and 7 had had ET in the past. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) with SPM2 was used, according to an optimized protocol, to compare women under past and current ET to those never treated. Significance threshold was set at P = 0.01, corrected by false discovery rate. RESULTS Voxel-based morphometry indicated that estrogen use was associated with greater gray matter volumes in the whole group of treated women, which included the cerebellum (cluster size, Z coordinates: 5,527; 5.15; -14 -54 -10), the amygdaloid-hippocampal complex (left: 19; 3.55; -22 -4 -18; right: 45; 3.61; 16 -6 -16), and extended to the frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital neocortex. The comparison current ET versus past ET use showed that women who underwent treatment in the past had greater volumes of gray matter compared to women under current treatment. CONCLUSIONS ET might slow down age-related gray matter loss in postmenopausal women. The structures that exhibited greater volume in association with ET included the cerebellar and cerebral cortices and, typically involved in Alzheimer's disease, the medial temporal structures and the temporoparietal junction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Boccardi
- LENITEM (Laboratory of Epidemiology, Neuroimaging and Telemedicine), IRCCS San Giovanni di Dio-FBF, Brescia, Italy
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