Sex hormones affect neurotransmitters and shape the adult female brain during hormonal transition periods.

Abstract:

Sex hormones have been implicated in neurite outgrowth, synaptogenesis, dendritic branching, myelination and other important mechanisms of neural plasticity. Here we review the evidence from animal experiments and human studies reporting interactions between sex hormones and the dominant neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine, GABA and glutamate. We provide an overview of accumulating data during physiological and pathological conditions and discuss currently conceptualized theories on how sex hormones potentially trigger neuroplasticity changes through these four neurochemical systems. Many brain regions have been demonstrated to express high densities for estrogen- and progesterone receptors, such as the amygdala, the hypothalamus, and the hippocampus. As the hippocampus is of particular relevance in the context of mediating structural plasticity in the adult brain, we put particular emphasis on what evidence could be gathered thus far that links differences in behavior, neurochemical patterns and hippocampal structure to a changing hormonal environment. Finally, we discuss how physiologically occurring hormonal transition periods in humans can be used to model how changes in sex hormones influence functional connectivity, neurotransmission and brain structure in vivo.

PubMed ID: 25750611

Projects: LIFE Adult

Publication type: Not specified

Journal: Front Neurosci

Human Diseases: No Human Disease specified

Citation: Front Neurosci. 2015 Feb 20;9:37. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00037. eCollection 2015.

Date Published: 10th Mar 2015

Registered Mode: by PubMed ID

Authors: C. Barth, A. Villringer, J. Sacher

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Created: 9th May 2019 at 08:42

Last updated: 7th Dec 2021 at 17:58

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