The rapid effects of estrogen: A mini-review

Sonali Lokuge, Benicio N. Frey, Jane A. Foster, Claudio N. Soares, Meir Steiner

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

46 Scopus citations

Abstract

Estrogen is regulated through two intracellular receptors, estrogen receptor α and estrogen receptor β, through a classic nuclear-initiated response. Recently, estrogen has also been shown to act more rapidly and it is proposed that these fast effects may be the consequence of membrane localized estrogen receptors that act through the second messengers. Although the identification of these receptors remains to be elucidated, the possible role that they play in female-specific mood disorders is of particular interest, especially in times of major hormonal fluctuation. The purpose of this mini-review is to outline the recent literature regarding the rapid effects of estrogen, to explore the intracellular signaling pathways that may be involved in this regulation as well as the connection between estrogen and serotonin neurotransmission and finally, to look into the antidepressant role that estrogen may have, with particular emphasis on female-specific mood disorders.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)465-472
Number of pages8
JournalBehavioural Pharmacology
Volume21
Issue number5-6
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • antidepressants
  • BDNF
  • CREB
  • estrogen
  • estrogen receptor
  • female-specific mood disorders
  • GPR30
  • reproductive cyclicity
  • serotonin

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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