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Butler T, Tey SR, Galvin JE, Perry G, Bowen RL, Atwood CS. Endocrine Dyscrasia in the Etiology and Therapy of Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2024:JAD240334. [PMID: 39240636 DOI: 10.3233/jad-240334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
The increase in the incidence of dementia over the last century correlates strongly with the increases in post-reproductive lifespan during this time. As post-reproductive lifespan continues to increase it is likely that the incidence of dementia will also increase unless therapies are developed to prevent, slow or cure dementia. A growing body of evidence implicates age-related endocrine dyscrasia and the length of time that the brain is subjected to this endocrine dyscrasia, as a key causal event leading to the cognitive decline associated with aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD), the major form of dementia in our society. In particular, the elevations in circulating gonadotropins, resulting from the loss of gonadal sex hormone production with menopause and andropause, appear central to the development of AD neuropathology and cognitive decline. This is supported by numerous cell biology, preclinical animal, and epidemiological studies, as well as human clinical studies where suppression of circulating luteinizing hormone and/or follicle-stimulating hormone with either gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues, or via physiological hormone replacement therapy, has been demonstrated to halt or significantly slow cognitive decline in those with AD. This review provides an overview of past and present studies demonstrating the importance of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal hormone balance for normal cognitive functioning, and how targeting age-related endocrine dyscrasia with hormone rebalancing strategies provides an alternative treatment route for those with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy Butler
- Department of Radiology, Brain Health Imaging Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sin-Ruow Tey
- JangoBio, LLC, Division of Cell Biology, Fitchburg, WI, USA
| | - James E Galvin
- Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Boca Raton, FL, USA
| | - George Perry
- Department of Neuroscience, Development and Regenerative Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | | | - Craig S Atwood
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Administration Hospital and Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- School of Exercise, Biomedical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
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Wang Q, Yu R, Fu C, Li M, Wang X, Zhu D. The relationship between male and female endogenous reproductive hormones levels and subjective cognitive decline score: A cross-sectional analysis of the Pingyin cohort study. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2024. [PMID: 38952182 DOI: 10.1111/cen.15104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Reproductive hormones might impact disease course in cognitive decline. We examined the association between male and female endogenous reproductive hormones and subjective cognitive decline (SCD) score. DESIGN, PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS A cross-sectional study design was used with baseline data from the Pingyin cohort study, involving 1943 participants aged 45-70 years. Oestrogen (E2), testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured in females and E2 and testosterone were measured in males. We categorised hormones into three levels of low, intermediate and high level. The 9-item subjective cognitive decline questionnaire (SCD-Q9) scores were collected to assess the symptoms of SCD. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) between categorised hormone levels and SCD status. Multivariable linear regression models were also used. RESULTS Overall, 1943 participants were involved and 1285 (66.1%) were female. The mean age at baseline was 59.1 (standard deviation 7.1) years. Women with high testosterone levels had a higher probability of having SCD compared with those with low testosterone levels (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.01-2.05). Men with a high level of testosterone (0.59, 0.35-0.98) and high testosterone/E2 ratio (0.55, 0.33-0.90) were related to decreased chances of having SCD. Each one-unit increase of testosterone was linked to reduced SCD score in males [(β: -.029, 95% CI (-0.052, -0.007)]. CONCLUSION There was sex-specific relationship between hormone levels and SCD abnormal. Those with higher testosterone levels in females may increase likelihood of experiencing SCD. Males with higher testosterone levels and higher testosterone/E2 ratio may be associated with reduced likelihood of SCD. The roles of endogenous reproductive hormone levels and their dynamic changes in cognitive function need further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ruihong Yu
- Pingyin Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, Pingyin, China
| | - Chunying Fu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Meiling Li
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaoyi Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Dongshan Zhu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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3
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Jia Y, Du X, Wang Y, Song Q, He L. Sex differences in luteinizing hormone aggravates Aβ deposition in APP/PS1 and Aβ 1-42-induced mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 970:176485. [PMID: 38492878 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) exhibits a higher incidence rate among older women, and dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis during aging is associated with cognitive impairments and the development of dementia. luteinizing hormone (LH) has an important role in CNS function, such as mediating neuronal pregnenolone production, and modulating neuronal plasticity and cognition. The sex differences in LH and its impact on Aβ deposition in AD individuals remain unclear, with no reported specific mechanisms. Here, we show through data mining that LH-related pathways are significantly enriched in female AD patients. Additionally, LH levels are elevated in female AD patients and exhibit a negative correlation with cognitive levels but a positive correlation with AD pathology levels, and females exhibit a greater extent of AD pathology, such as Aβ deposition. In vivo, we observed that the exogenous injection of LH exacerbated behavioral impairments induced by Aβ1-42 in mice. LH injection resulted in worsened neuronal damage and increased Aβ deposition. In SH-SY5Y cells, co-administration of LH with Aβ further exacerbated Aβ-induced neuronal damage. Furthermore, LH can dose-dependently decrease the levels of NEP and LHR proteins while increasing the expression of GFAP and IBA1 in vivo and in vitro. Taken together, these results indicate that LH can exacerbate cognitive impairment and neuronal damage in mice by increasing Aβ deposition. The potential mechanism may involve the reduction of NEP and LHR expression, along with the exacerbation of Aβ-induced inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongming Jia
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Xinzhe Du
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yanan Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Qinghua Song
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Ling He
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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Cutia CA, Christian-Hinman CA. Mechanisms linking neurological disorders with reproductive endocrine dysfunction: Insights from epilepsy research. Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 71:101084. [PMID: 37506886 PMCID: PMC10818027 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Gonadal hormone actions in the brain can both worsen and alleviate symptoms of neurological disorders. Although neurological conditions and reproductive endocrine function are seemingly disparate, compelling evidence indicates that reciprocal interactions exist between certain disorders and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis irregularities. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that shows significant reproductive endocrine dysfunction (RED) in clinical populations. Seizures, particularly those arising from temporal lobe structures, can drive HPG axis alterations, and hormones produced in the HPG axis can reciprocally modulate seizure activity. Despite this relationship, mechanistic links between seizures and RED, and vice versa, are still largely unknown. Here, we review clinical evidence alongside recent investigations in preclinical animal models into the contributions of seizures to HPG axis malfunction, describe the effects of HPG axis hormonal feedback on seizure activity, and discuss how epilepsy research can offer insight into mechanisms linking neurological disorders to HPG axis dysfunction, an understudied area of neuroendocrinology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathryn A Cutia
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Catherine A Christian-Hinman
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
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Khairy EY, Salama OA. Effect of exercise on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14300. [PMID: 37653057 PMCID: PMC10471618 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41415-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis dysregulation was suggested to play a crucial role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study investigated the effects of exercise on HPG hormones in an AD rat model, as a possible mechanism underlying the favorable effect of exercise on AD. Forty male Wistar albino rats 2-3 months old were subdivided randomly into two groups (n = 20 each): AD group (injected intraperitoneally with aluminum chloride (70 mg/kg/day) for 6 weeks) and Control group. Each group was subdivided into exercised or non-exercised group (n = 10 each). Exercised groups were subjected to a swimming protocol (60 min/day, 5 days/week, 4 weeks). Serum HPG hormones, hippocampal β-amyloid levels and Morris water-maze cognition were assessed. Results demonstrated higher levels of β-amyloid, gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) together with lower testosterone levels and cognitive impairment in the AD rats compared to controls. Β-amyloid levels negatively correlated with testosterone levels and positively correlated with GnRH, LH and FSH among the AD rats. Higher testosterone and lower GnRH, LH, FSH and β-amyloid levels, as well as cognitive improvement, were observed in the exercised compared to non-exercised AD rats, suggesting a modulatory role of exercise training on AD-associated HPG axis dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman Y Khairy
- Department of Physiology, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, 165, Horreya Avenue, Hadara, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Ola A Salama
- Department of Physiology, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, 165, Horreya Avenue, Hadara, Alexandria, Egypt
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Casati L, Ciceri S, Maggi R, Bottai D. Physiological and Pharmacological overview of the Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 212:115553. [PMID: 37075816 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone (GnRH) is a decapeptide responsible for the control of the reproductive functions. It shows C- and N-terminal aminoacid modifications and two other distinct isoforms have been so far identified. The biological effects of GnRH are mediated by binding to high-affinity G-protein couple receptors (GnRHR), showing characteristic very short C tail. In mammals, including humans, GnRH-producing neurons originate in the embryonic nasal compartment and during early embryogenesis they undergo rapid migration towards the hypothalamus; the increasing knowledge of such mechanisms improved diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to infertility. The pharmacological use of GnRH, or its synthetic peptide and non-peptide agonists or antagonists, provides a valid tool for reproductive disorders and assisted reproduction technology (ART). The presence of GnRHR in several organs and tissues indicates additional functions of the peptide. The identification of a GnRH/GnRHR system in the human endometrium, ovary, and prostate has extended the functions of the peptide to the physiology and tumor transformation of such tissues. Likely, the activity of a GnRH/GnRHR system at the level of the hippocampus, as well as its decreased expression in mice brain aging, raised interest in its possible involvement in neurogenesis and neuronal functions. In conclusion, GnRH/GnRHR appears to be a fascinating biological system that exerts several possibly integrated pleiotropic actions in the complex control of reproductive functions, tumor growth, neurogenesis, and neuroprotection. This review aims to provide an overview of the physiology of GnRH and the pharmacological applications of its synthetic analogs in the management of reproductive and non-reproductive diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavinia Casati
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Samuele Ciceri
- Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences (DISFARM), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano Italy
| | - Roberto Maggi
- Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences (DISFARM), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano Italy.
| | - Daniele Bottai
- Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences (DISFARM), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano Italy
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Tian W, Qi H, Wang Z, Qiao S, Wang P, Dong J, Wang H. Hormone supply to the pituitary gland: A comprehensive investigation of female‑related tumors (Review). Int J Mol Med 2022; 50:122. [PMID: 35946461 PMCID: PMC9387558 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2022.5178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamus acts on the pituitary gland after signal integration, thus regulating various physiological functions of the body. The pituitary gland includes the adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis, which differ in structure and function. The hypothalamus-hypophysis axis controls the secretion of adenohypophyseal hormones through the pituitary portal vein system. Thyroid-stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, gonadotropin, growth hormone (GH), and prolactin (PRL) are secreted by the adenohypophysis and regulate the functions of the body in physiological and pathological conditions. The aim of this review was to summarize the functions of female-associated hormones (GH, PRL, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone) in tumors. Their pathophysiology was described and the mechanisms underlying female hormone-related diseases were investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxiu Tian
- School of Basic Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261000, P.R. China
| | - Huimin Qi
- School of Basic Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261000, P.R. China
| | - Zhimei Wang
- Jiangsu Province Hi‑Tech Key Laboratory for Biomedical Research, and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210000, P.R. China
| | - Sen Qiao
- Department of Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Signaling (PZMS), Saarland University School of Medicine, D‑66421 Homburg‑Saar, Germany
| | - Ping Wang
- School of Basic Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261000, P.R. China
| | - Junhong Dong
- School of Basic Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261000, P.R. China
| | - Hongmei Wang
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210000, P.R. China
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8
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Udeh-Momoh C, Watermeyer T. Female specific risk factors for the development of Alzheimer's disease neuropathology and cognitive impairment: Call for a precision medicine approach. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 71:101459. [PMID: 34508876 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) includes a long asymptomatic stage, which precedes the formal diagnosis of dementia. AD biomarker models provide a framework for precision medicine approaches during this stage. However, such approaches have ignored the possible influence of sex on cognition and brain health, despite female sex noted as a major risk factor. Since AD-related changes may emerge in midlife, intervention efforts are being redirected around this period. Midlife coincides with several endocrinological changes, such as the menopausal transition experienced by women. In this narrative review, we discuss evidence for sex-differences in AD neuropathological burden and outline key endocrinological mechanisms for both sexes, focussing on hormonal events throughout the lifespan that may influence female susceptibility to AD neuropathology and dementia onset. We further consider common non-modifiable (genetic) and modifiable (lifestyle and health) risk factors, highlighting possible sex-dependent differential effects for the AD disease course. Finally, we evaluate the studies selected for this review demonstrating sex-differences in cognitive, pathological and health factors, summarising the state of sex differences in AD risk factors. We further provide recommendations for targeted research on female-specific risk factors, to inform personalised strategies for AD-prevention and the promotion of female brain health.
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9
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Butler T, Goldberg JD, Galvin JE, Maloney T, Ravdin L, Glodzik L, de Leon MJ, Hochman T, Bowen RL, Atwood CS. Rationale, study design and implementation of the LUCINDA Trial: Leuprolide plus Cholinesterase Inhibition to reduce Neurologic Decline in Alzheimer's. Contemp Clin Trials 2021; 107:106488. [PMID: 34166841 PMCID: PMC8550816 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2021.106488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The LUCINDA Trial (Leuprolide plus Cholinesterase Inhibition to reduce Neurologic Decline in Alzheimer's) is a 52 week, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of leuprolide acetate (Eligard) in women with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Leuprolide acetate is a gonadotropin analogue commonly used for hormone-sensitive conditions such as prostate cancer and endometriosis. This repurposed drug demonstrated efficacy in a previous Phase II clinical trial in those women with AD who also received a stable dose of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor donepezil (Bowen et al., 2015). Basic biological, epidemiological and clinical trial data suggest leuprolide acetate mediates improvement and stabilization of neuropathology and cognitive performance via the modulation of gonadotropin and/or gonadotropin-releasing hormone signaling. LUCINDA will enroll 150 women with mild-moderate AD who are receiving a stable dose of donepezil from three study sites in the United States. Cognition and function are the primary outcome measures as assessed by the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale. Blood and MRI biomarkers are also measured to assess hormonal, inflammatory and AD biomarker changes. We present the protocol for LUCINDA and discuss trial innovations and challenges including changes necessitated by the covid-19 pandemic and study drug procurement issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy Butler
- Brain Health Imaging Institute, Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA.
| | - Judith D Goldberg
- Departments of Population Health and Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - James E Galvin
- Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Boca Raton, FL 33433, USA
| | - Thomas Maloney
- Brain Health Imaging Institute, Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Lisa Ravdin
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Lidia Glodzik
- Brain Health Imaging Institute, Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Mony J de Leon
- Brain Health Imaging Institute, Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Tsivia Hochman
- Departments of Population Health and Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | | | - Craig S Atwood
- Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Administration Hospital, Madison, WI 53705, USA
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Sarahian N, Sarvazad H, Sajadi E, Rahnejat N, Eskandari Roozbahani N. Investigation of common risk factors between polycystic ovary syndrome and Alzheimer's disease: a narrative review. Reprod Health 2021; 18:156. [PMID: 34311759 PMCID: PMC8314638 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-021-01203-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The most common endocrine and metabolic disorders in premenopausal women is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), characterized by hyperandrogenism, chronic anovulation, and/or ultrasound evidence of small ovarian cysts. Obesity and insulin resistance are also the main factors influencing the clinical manifestations of this syndrome. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most typical progressive neurodegenerative disorder of the brain, and recent studies suggest a relationship between endocrinal dysregulation and neuronal loss during AD pathology. AIM This study aimed to evaluate the common risk factors for Alzheimer's and PCOS based on previous studies. Knowing the common risk factors and eliminating them may prevent neurodegenerative Alzheimer's disease in the future. METHOD In this narrative review, international databases, including Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and the Web of Science, were searched to retrieve the relevant studies. The relevant studies' summaries were categorized to discuss the possible pathways that may explain the association between Alzheimer's and PCOS signs/symptoms and complications. RESULTS According to our research, the factors involved in Alzheimer's and PCOS disorders may share some common risk factors. In patients with PCOS, increased LH to FSH ratio, decreased vitamin D, insulin resistance, and obesity are some of the most important factors that may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahid Sarahian
- Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hosna Sarvazad
- Clinical Research Development Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Elham Sajadi
- Department of Basic Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Nasrin Rahnejat
- Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Narges Eskandari Roozbahani
- Clinical Research Development Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
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Mey M, Bhatta S, Casadesus G. Luteinizing hormone and the aging brain. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2021; 115:89-104. [PMID: 33706966 PMCID: PMC9853463 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2020.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Fluctuations in luteinizing hormone (LH) release contribute to the development and maintenance of the reproductive system and become dysregulated during aging. Of note, increasing evidence supports extra-gonadal roles for LH within the CNS, particularly as it relates to cognition and plasticity in aging and age-related degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, despite increasing evidence that supports a link between this hormone and CNS function, the mechanisms underlying LH action within the brain and how they influence cognition and plasticity during the lifespan is poorly understood and, in fact, often in conflict. This chapter aims to provide an up-to-date review of the literature addressing the role of LH signaling in the context of CNS aging and disease and put forward a unifying hypothesis that may explain currently conflicting theories regarding the role of LHCGR signaling in CNS function and dysfunction in aging and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Mey
- Department of Biomedical Science, Kent State University, Cunningham Hall, Kent, OH, United States
| | - Sabina Bhatta
- Department of Biomedical Science, Kent State University, Cunningham Hall, Kent, OH, United States
| | - Gemma Casadesus
- Department of Biological Science, School of Arts and Sciences, Kent State University, Cunningham Hall, Kent, OH, United States,Corresponding author: ;
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12
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Xie SH, Fang R, Huang M, Dai J, Thrift AP, Anderson LA, Chow WH, Bernstein L, Gammon MD, Risch HA, Shaheen NJ, Reid BJ, Wu AH, Iyer PG, Liu G, Corley DA, Whiteman DC, Caldas C, Pharoah PD, Hardie LJ, Fitzgerald RC, Shen H, Vaughan TL, Lagergren J. Association Between Levels of Sex Hormones and Risk of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma and Barrett's Esophagus. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 18:2701-2709.e3. [PMID: 31756444 PMCID: PMC7580878 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2019.11.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) occurs most frequently in men. We performed a Mendelian randomization analysis to investigate whether genetic factors that regulate levels of sex hormones are associated with risk of EAC or Barrett's esophagus (BE). METHODS We conducted a Mendelian randomization analysis using data from patients with EAC (n = 2488) or BE (n = 3247) and control participants (n = 2127), included in international consortia of genome-wide association studies in Australia, Europe, and North America. Genetic risk scores or single-nucleotide variants were used as instrumental variables for 9 specific sex hormones. Logistic regression provided odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs. RESULTS Higher genetically predicted levels of follicle-stimulating hormones were associated with increased risks of EAC and/or BE in men (OR, 1.14 per allele increase; 95% CI, 1.01-1.27) and in women (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.03-1.59). Higher predicted levels of luteinizing hormone were associated with a decreased risk of EAC in men (OR, 0.92 per SD increase; 95% CI, 0.87-0.99) and in women (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.79-1.09), and decreased risks of BE (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.77-0.99) and EAC and/or BE (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.79-1.00) in women. We found no clear associations for other hormones studied, including sex hormone-binding globulin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, estradiol, progesterone, or free androgen index. CONCLUSIONS In a Mendelian randomization analysis of data from patients with EAC or BE, we found an association between genetically predicted levels of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones and risk of BE and EAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao-Hua Xie
- Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Rui Fang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, International Joint Research Center on Environment and Human Health, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mingtao Huang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, International Joint Research Center on Environment and Human Health, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Juncheng Dai
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, International Joint Research Center on Environment and Human Health, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention, and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Aaron P Thrift
- Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; Section of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Lesley A Anderson
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Wong-Ho Chow
- Department of Epidemiology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Leslie Bernstein
- Department of Population Sciences, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California
| | - Marilie D Gammon
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Harvey A Risch
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Nicholas J Shaheen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Brian J Reid
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Anna H Wu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Prasad G Iyer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Geoffrey Liu
- Pharmacogenomic Epidemiology, Ontario Cancer Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Douglas A Corley
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, California
| | - David C Whiteman
- Cancer Control, Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Carlos Caldas
- Cancer Research UK, Cambridge Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Paul D Pharoah
- Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Laura J Hardie
- Division of Epidemiology, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca C Fitzgerald
- Medical Research Council Cancer Unit, Hutchison-Medical Research Council Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Hongbing Shen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, International Joint Research Center on Environment and Human Health, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention, and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Thomas L Vaughan
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Jesper Lagergren
- Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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13
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Huang WK, Liu CH, Pang ST, Liu JR, Chang JWC, Liaw CC, Hsu CL, Lin YC, See LC. Type of Androgen Deprivation Therapy and Risk of Dementia Among Patients With Prostate Cancer in Taiwan. JAMA Netw Open 2020; 3:e2015189. [PMID: 32865575 PMCID: PMC7489824 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.15189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE It remains unclear whether androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is associated with subsequent dementia risk in patients with prostate cancer. There are limited data regarding dementia risk across ADT types. OBJECTIVE To examine the association between all-cause dementia, including Alzheimer disease (AD), and different ADT types in patients with prostate cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cohort study used linked data from the Taiwan National Cancer Registry, the National Health Insurance Research Database, and the Taiwan National Death Registry. A cohort of 23 651 patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2015, was identified and followed up from 1 year after diagnosis until December 31, 2017. Data analysis was performed between January 2019 and May 2020. EXPOSURES Patients who received and did not receive ADT, including gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, orchiectomy, or antiandrogen monotherapy. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcomes were all-cause dementia or AD. Stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to balance baseline covariates. The association between dementia and various ADT types was examined using the Cox proportional hazards model. Furthermore, a multivariate Cox proportional model with age as the time scale was conducted for complementary comparison. RESULTS In the cohort of 23 651 male patients (median [interquartile range] age, 73 [66-79] years), 6904 (29.2%) did not receive ADT, 11 817 (50.0%) received GnRH agonists, 876 (3.7%) received orchiectomy, and 4054 (17.1%) received antiandrogen monotherapy. Overall, 1525 patients were diagnosed with incident dementia (1.72 per 100 person-years) during a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 3.46 (1.92-5.51) years. Compared with those who did not receive ADT, those using antiandrogen monotherapy showed an increased risk of dementia (weighted hazard ratio [HR], 1.34; 95% CI, 1.16-1.55) and AD (weighted HR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.13-2.04). The risk of dementia was similar between GnRH agonist use or orchiectomy and no ADT use (GnRH agonist: weighted HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.00-1.28; orchiectomy: 1.00; 95% CI, 0.74-1.37). Several sensitivity analyses revealed consistent findings for both outcomes. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this study, the use of antiandrogen monotherapy was associated with increased risk of dementia or AD, while GnRH agonist use and orchiectomy had no significant difference compared with patients who did not receive ADT. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Kuan Huang
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Chi-Hung Liu
- Stroke Center, Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - See-Tong Pang
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Rou Liu
- Department of Public Health, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - John Wen-Cheng Chang
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chuang-Chi Liaw
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Lung Hsu
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Chang Lin
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Lai-Chu See
- Department of Public Health, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Biostatistics Core Laboratory, Molecular Medicine Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Center for Big Data Analytics and Statistics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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14
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Bohm-Levine N, Goldberg AR, Mariani M, Frankfurt M, Thornton J. Reducing luteinizing hormone levels after ovariectomy improves spatial memory: Possible role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Horm Behav 2020; 118:104590. [PMID: 31593698 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.104590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 08/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease and other forms of cognitive decline are significantly more prevalent in post-menopausal women. Decreased estrogen levels, due to menopause or ovariectomy, may contribute to memory impairments and neurodegeneration. Another result of decreased estrogen levels is elevated luteinizing hormone (LH). Elevated LH after menopause/ovariectomy has been shown to impair cognition in both human and animal studies. Lowering LH levels rescues spatial memory in ovariectomized (ovx) rodents, yet the mechanisms of these effects are still unclear. Estrogens appear to exert some of their effects on memory by increasing levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus. In these studies, we explored whether lowering LH may act by increasing BDNF. Ovx rats were treated with Antide, a gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor antagonist that lowers LH levels, or with estradiol. Both Antide and estradiol treatment enhanced spatial memory in ovx females. Both were found to be ineffective when a BDNF receptor antagonist was administered. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that both Antide and estradiol increased BDNF expression in the hippocampus. Dendritic spine density on pyramidal cells in CA1 was unchanged by any treatment. These results provide evidence for a relationship between LH and BDNF in the hippocampus and demonstrate that estrogen-increasing and LH-lowering treatments may both require BDNF signaling in order to improve spatial memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel Bohm-Levine
- Department of Neuroscience, Oberlin College, 119 Woodland St, Oberlin, OH 44074, USA
| | - Alexander R Goldberg
- Department of Neuroscience, Oberlin College, 119 Woodland St, Oberlin, OH 44074, USA
| | - Monica Mariani
- Department of Neuroscience, Oberlin College, 119 Woodland St, Oberlin, OH 44074, USA
| | - Maya Frankfurt
- Department of Science Education, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA
| | - Janice Thornton
- Department of Neuroscience, Oberlin College, 119 Woodland St, Oberlin, OH 44074, USA.
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15
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Qian Y, Ji C, Yue S, Zhao M. Exposure of low-dose fipronil enantioselectively induced anxiety-like behavior associated with DNA methylation changes in embryonic and larval zebrafish. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 249:362-371. [PMID: 30909129 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.03.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Fipronil, a broad-spectrum chiral insecticide, has been documented to induce significant neurotoxicity to nontarget aquatic species; however, whether its neurotoxicity behaves enantioselectively and what molecular mechanisms correspond to the neurotoxicity remain unanswered. To date, few investigations have focused on the genomic mechanisms responsible for the enantioselective toxicity of chiral pesticides. The epigenetic modifications, especially DNA methylation, caused by the pesticides are also blind spot of the research works. Video tracking showed that R-fipronil exhibited more intense neurotoxicity, as well as the induction of more severe anxiety-like behavior, such as boosted swimming speed and dysregulated photoperiodic locomotion, to embryonic and larval zebrafish compared with S-fipronil. The MeDIP-Seq analysis, combined with Gene Ontology and KEGG, revealed that R-fipronil disrupted five signaling pathways (MAPK, Calcium signaling, Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, Purine metabolism, and Endocytosis) to a greater extent than S-fipronil through the hypermethylation of several important neuro-related genes, whereas no significant alterations of global DNA methylation were observed on the two enantiomers. To summarize, our data indicated that the fipronil-conducted enantioselective neurotoxicity likely applied its enantioselectivity by the dysregulation of DNA methylation. Our study also provided novel epigenetic insights into the study of enantioselective biological effects and the relevant underlying mechanisms of chiral insecticide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Qian
- College of Life Science, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang, 318000, China
| | - Chenyang Ji
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Siqing Yue
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Meirong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China.
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16
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Ahmad MH, Fatima M, Mondal AC. Role of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis, Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis and Insulin Signaling in the Pathophysiology of Alzheimer's Disease. Neuropsychobiology 2019; 77:197-205. [PMID: 30605907 DOI: 10.1159/000495521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), the commonest progressive neurodegenerative disorder of the brain, is clinically characterized by the formation of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. Recent studies suggest a relationship between the endocrinal dysregulation and the neuronal loss during the AD pathology. Dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis regulating circulating levels of glucocorticoid hormones has been implicated in the pathophysiology of AD. Likewise, dysregulated insulin signaling, impaired glucose uptake and insulin resistance are some of the prime factors in the onset/progression of AD. In this review, we have discussed the changes in HPA and HPG axes, implicated insulin resistance/signaling and glucose regulation during the onset/progression of AD. Therefore, simultaneous detection of these endocrinal markers in the early or presymptomatic stages may help in the early diagnosis of AD. This evidence for implicated endocrinal functions supports the fact that modulation of endocrinal pathways can be used as therapeutic targets for AD. Future studies need to determine how the induction or inhibition of endocrinal targets could be used for predictable neuroprotection in AD therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mir Hilal Ahmad
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Mahino Fatima
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Amal Chandra Mondal
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India,
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17
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Mosconi L, Brinton RD. How would we combat menopause as an Alzheimer's risk factor? Expert Rev Neurother 2018; 18:689-691. [PMID: 30091648 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2018.1510320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Mosconi
- a Department of Neurology , Weill Cornell Medical College , New York , NY , USA.,b Department of Psychiatry , New York University School of Medicine , New York , NY , USA
| | - Roberta Diaz Brinton
- c Departments of Pharmacology and Neurology , University of Arizona College of Medicine , Tucson , AZ , USA
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18
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Riordan AJ, Schaler AW, Fried J, Paine TA, Thornton JE. Estradiol and luteinizing hormone regulate recognition memory following subchronic phencyclidine: Evidence for hippocampal GABA action. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018. [PMID: 29529524 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia are poorly understood and difficult to treat. Estrogens may mitigate these symptoms via unknown mechanisms. To examine these mechanisms, we tested whether increasing estradiol (E) or decreasing luteinizing hormone (LH) could mitigate short-term episodic memory loss in a phencyclidine (PCP) model of schizophrenia. We then assessed whether changes in cortical or hippocampal GABA may underlie these effects. Female rats were ovariectomized and injected subchronically with PCP. To modulate E and LH, animals received estradiol capsules or Antide injections. Short-term episodic memory was assessed using the novel object recognition task (NORT). Brain expression of GAD67 was analyzed via western blot, and parvalbumin-containing cells were counted using immunohistochemistry. Some rats received hippocampal infusions of a GABAA agonist, GABAA antagonist, or GAD inhibitor before behavioral testing. We found that PCP reduced hippocampal GAD67 and abolished recognition memory. Antide restored hippocampal GAD67 and rescued recognition memory in PCP-treated animals. Estradiol prevented PCP's amnesic effect in NORT but failed to restore hippocampal GAD67. PCP did not cause significant differences in number of parvalbumin-expressing cells or cortical expression of GAD67. Hippocampal infusions of a GABAA agonist restored recognition memory in PCP-treated rats. Blocking hippocampal GAD or GABAA receptors in ovx animals reproduced recognition memory loss similar to PCP and inhibited estradiol's protection of recognition memory in PCP-treated animals. In summary, decreasing LH or increasing E can lessen short-term episodic memory loss, as measured by novel object recognition, in a PCP model of schizophrenia. Alterations in hippocampal GABA may contribute to both PCP's effects on recognition memory and the hormones' ability to prevent or reverse them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Riordan
- Oberlin College, Neuroscience Department, 119 Woodland St, Oberlin, OH 44074, USA.
| | - Ari W Schaler
- Oberlin College, Neuroscience Department, 119 Woodland St, Oberlin, OH 44074, USA
| | - Jenny Fried
- Oberlin College, Neuroscience Department, 119 Woodland St, Oberlin, OH 44074, USA
| | - Tracie A Paine
- Oberlin College, Neuroscience Department, 119 Woodland St, Oberlin, OH 44074, USA
| | - Janice E Thornton
- Oberlin College, Neuroscience Department, 119 Woodland St, Oberlin, OH 44074, USA
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19
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McGregor C, Riordan A, Thornton J. Estrogens and the cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia: Possible neuroprotective mechanisms. Front Neuroendocrinol 2017; 47:19-33. [PMID: 28673758 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2017.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Revised: 06/25/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex neuropsychiatric illness with marked sex differences. Women have later onset and lesser symptoms, which has led to the hypothesis that estrogens are protective in schizophrenia. Cognitive dysfunction is a hallmark of the disease and the symptom most correlated with functional outcome. Here we describe a number of mechanisms by which estrogens may be therapeutic in schizophrenia, with a focus on cognitive symptoms. We review the relationship between estrogens and brain derived neurotrophic factor, neuroinflammation, NMDA receptors, GABA receptors, and luteinizing hormone. Exploring these pathways may enable novel treatments for schizophrenia and a greater understanding of this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire McGregor
- Department of Neuroscience, Oberlin College, 119 Woodland St, Oberlin, OH 44074, USA.
| | - Alexander Riordan
- Department of Neuroscience, Oberlin College, 119 Woodland St, Oberlin, OH 44074, USA
| | - Janice Thornton
- Department of Neuroscience, Oberlin College, 119 Woodland St, Oberlin, OH 44074, USA
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20
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Natural cholinesterase inhibitors from Myristica cinnamomea King. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2016; 26:3785-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2016.05.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Revised: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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21
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Abstract
Alzheimer disease (AD) is a slow progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects more elderly women than elderly men. It impairs memory, typically progresses into multidomain cognitive decline that destroys the quality of life, and ultimately leads to death. About 5.3 million older Americans are now living with this disease, and this number is projected to rise to 14 million by 2050. Annual health-care costs in the United States alone are projected to increase to about US$1.1 trillion by 2050. The initial theory that decreasing estrogen levels leads to AD development in postmenopausal women has been proven inconclusive. For example, Women's Health Research Initiative Memory Study and the population-based nested case-control study have failed to demonstrate that estrogen/progesterone (hormone replacement therapy [HRT]) or estrogen replacement therapy could prevent the cognitive decline or reduce the risk of AD. This led to the realization that AD development could be due to a progressive increase in luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in postmenopausal women. Accordingly, a large number of studies have demonstrated that an increase in LH levels is positively correlated with neuropathological, behavioral, and cognitive changes in AD. In addition, LH has been shown to promote amyloidogenic pathway of precursor protein metabolism and deposition of amyloid β plaques in the hippocampus, a region involved in AD. Cognate receptors that mediate LH effects are abundantly expressed in the hippocampus. Reducing the LH levels by treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists could provide therapeutic benefits. Despite these advances, many questions remain and require further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- C V Rao
- 1 Department of Cellular Biology and Pharmacology, Reproduction and Development Program, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.,2 Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Reproduction and Development Program, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.,3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproduction and Development Program, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
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22
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Narayan P. Genetic Models for the Study of Luteinizing Hormone Receptor Function. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2015; 6:152. [PMID: 26483755 PMCID: PMC4586495 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2015.00152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) is essential for fertility in men and women. LHCGR binds luteinizing hormone (LH) as well as the highly homologous chorionic gonadotropin. Signaling from LHCGR is required for steroidogenesis and gametogenesis in males and females and for sexual differentiation in the male. The importance of LHCGR in reproductive physiology is underscored by the large number of naturally occurring inactivating and activating mutations in the receptor that result in reproductive disorders. Consequently, several genetically modified mouse models have been developed for the study of LHCGR function. They include targeted deletion of LH and LHCGR that mimic inactivating mutations in hormone and receptor, expression of a constitutively active mutant in LHCGR that mimics activating mutations associated with familial male-limited precocious puberty and transgenic models of LH and hCG overexpression. This review summarizes the salient findings from these models and their utility in understanding the physiological and pathological consequences of loss and gain of function in LHCGR signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prema Narayan
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, USA
- *Correspondence: Prema Narayan, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, LSIII, 1135 Lincoln Drive, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA,
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