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Iqbal J, Huang GD, Xue YX, Yang M, Jia XJ. Role of estrogen in sex differences in memory, emotion and neuropsychiatric disorders. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:415. [PMID: 38472517 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09374-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Estrogen regulates a wide range of neuronal functions in the brain, such as dendritic spine formation, remodeling of synaptic plasticity, cognition, neurotransmission, and neurodevelopment. Estrogen interacts with intracellular estrogen receptors (ERs) and membrane-bound ERs to produce its effect via genomic and non-genomic pathways. Any alterations in these pathways affect the number, size, and shape of dendritic spines in neurons associated with psychiatric diseases. Increasing evidence suggests that estrogen fluctuation causes changes in dendritic spine density, morphology, and synapse numbers of excitatory and inhibitory neurons differently in males and females. In this review, we discuss the role of estrogen hormone in rodents and humans based on sex differences. First, we explain estrogen role in learning and memory and show that a high estrogen level alleviates the deficits in learning and memory. Secondly, we point out that estrogen produces a striking difference in emotional memories in men and women, which leads them to display sex-specific differences in underlying neuronal signaling. Lastly, we discuss that fluctuations in estrogen levels in men and women are related to neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder (BPD), major depressive disorder (MDD), substance use disorder (SUD), and anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javed Iqbal
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital & Shenzhen Mental Health Center, No. 77 Zhenbi Road, Pingshan District, Shenzhen, 518118, Guangdong, China
| | - Geng-Di Huang
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital & Shenzhen Mental Health Center, No. 77 Zhenbi Road, Pingshan District, Shenzhen, 518118, Guangdong, China
| | - Yan-Xue Xue
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Mei Yang
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital & Shenzhen Mental Health Center, No. 77 Zhenbi Road, Pingshan District, Shenzhen, 518118, Guangdong, China.
- Clinical College of Mental Health, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China.
- Affiliated Mental Health Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Xiao-Jian Jia
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital & Shenzhen Mental Health Center, No. 77 Zhenbi Road, Pingshan District, Shenzhen, 518118, Guangdong, China.
- Clinical College of Mental Health, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China.
- Affiliated Mental Health Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
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Davis D, Dovey J, Sagoshi S, Thaweepanyaporn K, Ogawa S, Vasudevan N. Steroid hormone-mediated regulation of sexual and aggressive behaviour by non-genomic signalling. Steroids 2023; 200:109324. [PMID: 37820890 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2023.109324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Sex and aggression are well studied examples of social behaviours that are common to most animals and are mediated by an evolutionary conserved group of interconnected nuclei in the brain called the social behaviour network. Though glucocorticoids and in particular estrogen regulate these social behaviours, their effects in the brain are generally thought to be mediated by genomic signalling, a slow transcriptional regulation mediated by nuclear hormone receptors. In the last decade or so, there has been renewed interest in understanding the physiological significance of rapid, non-genomic signalling mediated by steroids. Though the identity of the membrane hormone receptors that mediate this signalling is not clearly understood and appears to be different in different cell types, such signalling contributes to physiologically relevant behaviours such as sex and aggression. In this short review, we summarise the evidence for this phenomenon in the rodent, by focusing on estrogen and to some extent, glucocorticoid signalling. The use of these signals, in relation to genomic signalling is manifold and ranges from potentiation of transcription to the possible transduction of environmental signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- DeAsia Davis
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, United Kingdom
| | - Janine Dovey
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, United Kingdom
| | - Shoko Sagoshi
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, United States; Laboratory of Behavioural Neuroendocrinology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | | | - Sonoko Ogawa
- Laboratory of Behavioural Neuroendocrinology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Nandini Vasudevan
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, United Kingdom.
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Sheppard PAS, Chandramohan D, Lumsden A, Vellone D, Denley MCS, Srivastava DP, Choleris E. Social memory in female mice is rapidly modulated by 17β-estradiol through ERK and Akt modulation of synapse formation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2300191120. [PMID: 37490537 PMCID: PMC10400940 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2300191120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Social memory is essential to the functioning of a social animal within a group. Estrogens can affect social memory too quickly for classical genomic mechanisms. Previously, 17β-estradiol (E2) rapidly facilitated short-term social memory and increased nascent synapse formation, these synapses being potentiated following neuronal activity. However, what mechanisms underlie and coordinate the rapid facilitation of social memory and synaptogenesis are unclear. Here, the necessity of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling for rapid facilitation of short-term social memory and synaptogenesis was tested. Mice performed a short-term social memory task or were used as task-naïve controls. ERK and PI3K pathway inhibitors were infused intradorsal hippocampally 5 min before E2 infusion. Forty minutes following intrahippocampal E2 or vehicle administration, tissues were collected for quantification of glutamatergic synapse number in the CA1. Dorsal hippocampal E2 rapid facilitation of short-term social memory depended upon ERK and PI3K pathways. E2 increased glutamatergic synapse number (bassoon puncta positive for GluA1) in task-performing mice but decreased synapse number in task-naïve mice. Critically, ERK signaling was required for synapse formation/elimination in task-performing and task-naïve mice, whereas PI3K inhibition blocked synapse formation only in task-performing mice. While ERK and PI3K are both required for E2 facilitation of short-term social memory and synapse formation, only ERK is required for synapse elimination. This demonstrates previously unknown, bidirectional, rapid actions of E2 on brain and behavior and underscores the importance of estrogen signaling in the brain to social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A. S. Sheppard
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ONN1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Deepthi Chandramohan
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King’s College London, LondonWC2R 2LS, United Kingdom
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, LondonWC2R 2LS, United Kingdom
| | - Alanna Lumsden
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ONN1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Daniella Vellone
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ONN1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Matthew C. S. Denley
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King’s College London, LondonWC2R 2LS, United Kingdom
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, LondonWC2R 2LS, United Kingdom
| | - Deepak P. Srivastava
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King’s College London, LondonWC2R 2LS, United Kingdom
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, LondonWC2R 2LS, United Kingdom
| | - Elena Choleris
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ONN1G 2W1, Canada
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Sheppard PAS, Puri TA, Galea LAM. Sex Differences and Estradiol Effects in MAPK and Akt Cell Signaling across Subregions of the Hippocampus. Neuroendocrinology 2022; 112:621-635. [PMID: 34407537 DOI: 10.1159/000519072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rapid effects of estrogens within the hippocampus of rodents are dependent upon cell-signaling cascades, and activation of these cascades by estrogens varies by sex. Whether these pathways are rapidly activated within the dentate gyrus (DG) and CA1 by estrogens across sex and the anatomical longitudinal axis has been overlooked. METHODS Gonadally intact female and male rats were given either vehicle or physiological systemic low (1.1 µg/kg) or high (37.3 µg/kg) doses of 17β-estradiol 30 min prior to tissue collection. To control for the effects of circulating estrogens, an additional group of female rats was ovariectomized (OVX) and administered 17β-estradiol. Brains were extracted, and tissue punches of the CA1 and DG were taken along the longitudinal hippocampal axis (dorsal and ventral) and analyzed for key mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and protein kinase B (Akt) cascade phosphoproteins. RESULTS Intact females had higher Akt pathway phosphoproteins (pAkt, pGSK-3β, and pp70S6K) than males in the DG (dorsal and ventral) and lower pERK1/2 in the dorsal DG. Most effects of 17β-estradiol on cell signaling occurred in OVX animals. In OVX animals, 17β-estradiol increased cell signaling of MAPK and Akt phosphoproteins (pERK1/2, pJNK, pAkt, and pGSK-3β) in the CA1 and pERK1/2 and pJNK DG. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS Systemic 17β-estradiol treatment rapidly alters phosphoprotein levels in the hippocampus, dependent on reproductive status, and intact females have greater expression of Akt phosphoproteins than that in intact males in the DG. These findings shed light on underlying mechanisms of sex differences in hippocampal function and response to interventions that affect MAPK or Akt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A S Sheppard
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Tanvi A Puri
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Liisa A M Galea
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Been LE, Sheppard PAS, Galea LAM, Glasper ER. Hormones and neuroplasticity: A lifetime of adaptive responses. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 132:679-690. [PMID: 34808191 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.11.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Major life transitions often co-occur with significant fluctuations in hormones that modulate the central nervous system. These hormones enact neuroplastic mechanisms that prepare an organism to respond to novel environmental conditions and/or previously unencountered cognitive, emotional, and/or behavioral demands. In this review, we will explore several examples of how hormones mediate neuroplastic changes in order to produce adaptive responses, particularly during transitions in life stages. First, we will explore hormonal influences on social recognition in both males and females as they transition to sexual maturity. Next, we will probe the role of hormones in mediating the transitions to motherhood and fatherhood, respectively. Finally, we will survey the long-term impact of reproductive experience on neuroplasticity in females, including potential protective effects and risk factors associated with reproductive experience in mid-life and beyond. Ultimately, a more complete understanding of how hormones influence neuroplasticity throughout the lifespan, beyond development, is necessary for understanding how individuals respond to life changes in adaptive ways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Been
- Department of Psychology, Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA, 19041, USA.
| | - Paul A S Sheppard
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St, London, Ontario, N6A 5B7, Canada.
| | - Liisa A M Galea
- Department of Psychology, Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
| | - Erica R Glasper
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742 USA.
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