Estrogen synthesis in the hippocampus

Lars Fester, Janine Prange-Kiel, Hubertus Jarry, Gabriele M. Rune

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

74 Scopus citations

Abstract

Estradiol plays essential roles in the modulation of synaptic plasticity and neuroprotection in males as well as in females, as has been shown particularly in the hippocampus. Although it has long been known that aromatase, the final enzyme in estrogen synthesis, is expressed in the hippocampus, a new paradigm emerged when it was shown that estradiol is actually synthesized de novo in this part of the brain. Increasing evidence indicates that hippocampus-derived estradiol plays a role in synaptic plasticity and neuroptrotection, rather than estradiol originating from the gonads. In recent years, a number of in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that hippocampus-derived estradiol substantially contributes to hippocampal function, in particular to structural synaptic plasticity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)285-294
Number of pages10
JournalCell and Tissue Research
Volume345
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2011

Keywords

  • Aromatase
  • Estrogen synthesis
  • Hippocampus
  • StAR
  • Synaptic plasticity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Histology
  • Cell Biology

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