Neuroprotective actions of estradiol revisited

IÑIGO AZCOITIA; AREVALO M.A.; ALEJANDRO F. DE NICOLA; GARCIA-SEGURA L.M:

TRENDS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM

ELSEVIER SCIENCE LONDON

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2011 vol. 31 p. 1 - 7

1043-2760

Results from animal experiments showing that estradiolis neuroprotective were challenged 10 years ago byfindings indicating an increased risk of dementia andstroke in women over 65 years of age taking conjugatedequine estrogens. Our understanding of the complexsignaling of estradiol in neural cells has recently clarifiedthe causes of this discrepancy. New data indicate thatestradiol may lose its neuroprotective activity or evenincrease neural damage, a situation that depends on theduration of ovarian hormone deprivation and on ageassociatedmodifications in the levels of other moleculesthat modulate estradiol action. These studies highlightthe complex neuroprotective mechanisms of estradioland suggest a window of opportunity during whicheffective hormonal therapy could promote brain functionand cognition