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Brain-Derived Estrogen and Neurological Disorders. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11121698. [PMID: 36552208 PMCID: PMC9774965 DOI: 10.3390/biology11121698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes and neurons in the male and female brains produce the neurosteroid brain-derived 17β-estradiol (BDE2) from androgen precursors. In this review, we discuss evidence that suggest BDE2 has a role in a number of neurological conditions, such as focal and global cerebral ischemia, traumatic brain injury, excitotoxicity, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. Much of what we have learned about BDE2 in neurological disorders has come from use of aromatase inhibitors and global aromatase knockout mice. Recently, our group developed astrocyte- and neuron-specific aromatase knockout mice, which have helped to clarify the precise functions of astrocyte-derived 17β-estradiol (ADE2) and neuron-derived 17β-estradiol (NDE2) in the brain. The available evidence to date suggests a primarily beneficial role of BDE2 in facilitating neuroprotection, synaptic and cognitive preservation, regulation of reactive astrocyte and microglia activation, and anti-inflammatory effects. Most of these beneficial effects appear to be due to ADE2, which is induced in most neurological disorders, but there is also recent evidence that NDE2 exerts similar beneficial effects. Furthermore, in certain situations, BDE2 may also have deleterious effects, as recent evidence suggests its overproduction in epilepsy contributes to seizure induction. In this review, we examine the current state of this quickly developing topic, as well as possible future studies that may be required to provide continuing growth in the field.
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Jett S, Schelbaum E, Jang G, Boneu Yepez C, Dyke JP, Pahlajani S, Diaz Brinton R, Mosconi L. Ovarian steroid hormones: A long overlooked but critical contributor to brain aging and Alzheimer's disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:948219. [PMID: 35928995 PMCID: PMC9344010 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.948219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian hormones, particularly 17β-estradiol, are involved in numerous neurophysiological and neurochemical processes, including those subserving cognitive function. Estradiol plays a key role in the neurobiology of aging, in part due to extensive interconnectivity of the neural and endocrine system. This aspect of aging is fundamental for women's brains as all women experience a drop in circulating estradiol levels in midlife, after menopause. Given the importance of estradiol for brain function, it is not surprising that up to 80% of peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women report neurological symptoms including changes in thermoregulation (vasomotor symptoms), mood, sleep, and cognitive performance. Preclinical evidence for neuroprotective effects of 17β-estradiol also indicate associations between menopause, cognitive aging, and Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia affecting nearly twice more women than men. Brain imaging studies demonstrated that middle-aged women exhibit increased indicators of AD endophenotype as compared to men of the same age, with onset in perimenopause. Herein, we take a translational approach to illustrate the contribution of ovarian hormones in maintaining cognition in women, with evidence implicating menopause-related declines in 17β-estradiol in cognitive aging and AD risk. We will review research focused on the role of endogenous and exogenous estrogen exposure as a key underlying mechanism to neuropathological aging in women, with a focus on whether brain structure, function and neurochemistry respond to hormone treatment. While still in development, this research area offers a new sex-based perspective on brain aging and risk of AD, while also highlighting an urgent need for better integration between neurology, psychiatry, and women's health practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Jett
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Eva Schelbaum
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Grace Jang
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Camila Boneu Yepez
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jonathan P. Dyke
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Silky Pahlajani
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Roberta Diaz Brinton
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Lisa Mosconi
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
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Fehsel K, Christl J. Comorbidity of osteoporosis and Alzheimer's disease: Is `AKT `-ing on cellular glucose uptake the missing link? Ageing Res Rev 2022; 76:101592. [PMID: 35192961 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Osteoporosis and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are both degenerative diseases. Osteoporosis often proceeds cognitive deficits, and multiple studies have revealed common triggers that lead to energy deficits in brain and bone. Risk factors for osteoporosis and AD, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, aging, chemotherapy, vitamin deficiency, alcohol abuse, and apolipoprotein Eε4 and/or Il-6 gene variants, reduce cellular glucose uptake, and protective factors, such as estrogen, insulin, exercise, mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors, hydrogen sulfide, and most phytochemicals, increase uptake. Glucose uptake is a fine-tuned process that depends on an abundance of glucose transporters (Gluts) on the cell surface. Gluts are stored in vesicles under the plasma membrane, and protective factors cause these vesicles to fuse with the membrane, resulting in presentation of Gluts on the cell surface. This translocation depends mainly on AKT kinase signaling and can be affected by a range of factors. Reduced AKT kinase signaling results in intracellular glucose deprivation, which causes endoplasmic reticulum stress and iron depletion, leading to activation of HIF-1α, the transcription factor necessary for higher Glut expression. The link between diseases and aging is a topic of growing interest. Here, we show that diseases that affect the same biochemical pathways tend to co-occur, which may explain why osteoporosis and/or diabetes are often associated with AD.
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Azcoitia I, Mendez P, Garcia-Segura LM. Aromatase in the Human Brain. ANDROGENS: CLINICAL RESEARCH AND THERAPEUTICS 2021; 2:189-202. [PMID: 35024691 PMCID: PMC8744447 DOI: 10.1089/andro.2021.0007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The aromatase cytochrome P450 (P450arom) enzyme, or estrogen synthase, which is coded by the CYP19A1 gene, is widely expressed in a subpopulation of excitatory and inhibitory neurons, astrocytes, and other cell types in the human brain. Experimental studies in laboratory animals indicate a prominent role of brain aromatization of androgens to estrogens in regulating different brain functions. However, the consequences of aromatase expression in the human brain remain poorly understood. Here, we summarize the current knowledge about aromatase expression in the human brain, abundant in the thalamus, amygdala, hypothalamus, cortex, and hippocampus and discuss its role in the regulation of sensory integration, body homeostasis, social behavior, cognition, language, and integrative functions. Since brain aromatase is affected by neurodegenerative conditions and may participate in sex-specific manifestations of autism spectrum disorders, major depressive disorder, multiple sclerosis, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease, we discuss future avenues for research and potential clinical and therapeutic implications of the expression of aromatase in the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iñigo Azcoitia
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Mendez
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis M. Garcia-Segura
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
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Ancelin ML, Norton J, Canonico M, Scarabin PY, Ritchie K, Ryan J. Aromatase (CYP19A1) gene variants, sex steroid levels, and late-life depression. Depress Anxiety 2020; 37:146-155. [PMID: 31730745 DOI: 10.1002/da.22974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex differences in psychiatric disorders are common and could involve sex steroids. Aromatase, the product of the CYP19A1 gene, is the key enzyme in the conversion of androgen to estrogen. Whether CYP19A1 variants could be associated with depression differently in men and women has not been examined. METHODS This population-based study included 405 men and 602 women aged ≥65 years. A clinical level of depression (DEP) was defined as having a score ≥16 on the Center for Epidemiology Studies Depression scale or a diagnosis of current major depression based on the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview and according to DSM-IV criteria. Seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) spanning the CYP19A1 gene were genotyped and circulating levels of estradiol and testosterone were determined. Multivariable analyses were adjusted for age, body mass index, ischemic pathologies, cognitive impairment, and anxiety. RESULTS Five SNPs were associated with DEP in women specifically and this varied according to a history of major depression (p-values .01 to .0005). Three SNPs were associated with an increased risk of late-life DEP in women without a history of major depression, while two SNPs were associated with a decreased DEP risk in women with a history of major depression and were also associated with higher estradiol levels. CONCLUSIONS Variants of the CYP19A1 gene appear to be susceptibility factors for late-life depression in a sex-specific manner. The polymorphisms decreasing the risk of recurrent depression in postmenopausal women also influence estradiol levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Laure Ancelin
- Inserm, Neuropsychiatry: Epidemiological and Clinical Research, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Joanna Norton
- Inserm, Neuropsychiatry: Epidemiological and Clinical Research, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Marianne Canonico
- Centre for Research Epidemiology and Population Health, UVSQ, Inserm, Paris-Saclay University, Paris-South University, Villejuif, France
| | - Pierre-Yves Scarabin
- Centre for Research Epidemiology and Population Health, UVSQ, Inserm, Paris-Saclay University, Paris-South University, Villejuif, France
| | - Karen Ritchie
- Inserm, Neuropsychiatry: Epidemiological and Clinical Research, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Center for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Joanne Ryan
- Inserm, Neuropsychiatry: Epidemiological and Clinical Research, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Biological Neuropsychiatry and Dementia Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Herrera JL, Ordoñez-Gutierrez L, Fabrias G, Casas J, Morales A, Hernandez G, Acosta NG, Rodriguez C, Prieto-Valiente L, Garcia-Segura LM, Wandosell FG, Alonso R. Ovarian Hormone-Dependent Effects of Dietary Lipids on APP/PS1 Mouse Brain. Front Aging Neurosci 2019; 11:346. [PMID: 31920626 PMCID: PMC6930904 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2019.00346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation of senile plaques through amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) aggregation is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Irrespective of its actual role in the synaptic alterations and cognitive impairment associated with AD, different therapeutic approaches have been proposed to reduce plaque formation. In rodents, daily intake of omega-3 (n-3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) is required for neural development, and there is experimental and epidemiological evidence that their inclusion in the diet has positive effects on several neurodegenerative diseases. Similarly, estradiol appears to reduce senile plaque formation in primary mouse cell cultures, human cortical neurons and mouse AD models, and it prevents Aβ toxicity in neural cell lines. We previously showed that differences in dietary n-6/n-3 LC-PUFAs ratios modify the lipid composition in the cerebral cortex of female mice and the levels of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the brain. These effects depended in part on the presence of circulating estradiol. Here we explored whether this potentially synergistic action between diet and ovarian hormones may influence the progression of amyloidosis in an AD mouse model. Our results show that a diet with high n-3 LC-PUFA content, especially DHA (22:6n-3), reduces the hippocampal accumulation of Aβ1–40, but not amyloid Aβ1–42 in female APPswe/PS1 E9A mice, an effect that was counteracted by the loss of the ovaries and that depended on circulating estradiol. In addition, this interaction between dietary lipids and ovarian function also affects the composition of the brain lipidome as well as the expression of certain neuronal signaling and synaptic proteins. These findings provide new insights into how ovarian hormones and dietary composition affect the brain lipidome and amyloid burden. Furthermore, they strongly suggest that when designing dietary or pharmacological strategies to combat human neurodegenerative diseases, hormonal and metabolic status should be specifically taken into consideration as it may affect the therapeutic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Luis Herrera
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas Básicas, Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas-Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Lara Ordoñez-Gutierrez
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gemma Fabrias
- Instituto de Química Avanzada de Cataluña (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josefina Casas
- Instituto de Química Avanzada de Cataluña (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Araceli Morales
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas Básicas, Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas-Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Guadalberto Hernandez
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas Básicas, Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas-Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Nieves G Acosta
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología, Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas-Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Covadonga Rodriguez
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas Básicas, Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas-Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | | | - Luis M Garcia-Segura
- Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco G Wandosell
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Alonso
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas Básicas, Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas-Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
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Yang Y, Yan H, Kong Y, Liu L, Peng Q, Wen Y, Zhou Z, Chang Q. CYP19A1 rs2470152 polymorphism increases susceptibility to depression in Chinese Han population. Neurosci Lett 2019; 713:134490. [PMID: 31518674 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2019.134490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Estrogen plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of depression. The cytochrome p450 (CYP) 19A1 gene encodes aromatase, which is responsible for a key step in estrogen production. Previous studies suggested that CYP19A1 polymorphisms increase the risk of depression in the Japanese population. The current study aimed to investigate the correlation between the CYP19A1 rs2470152 polymorphism and the risk of depression in Chinese Han population. In total, 1006 Chinese Han subjects were recruited in this case-control study, including 502 patients diagnosed with depression and 504 healthy gender- and age-matched (from 18-65 years) controls. Genotyping was performed using multiplex PCR and high-throughput sequencing to assess the effects of the CYP19A1 rs2470152 (G > A) polymorphism on the risk of depression in the entire cohort and the subjects were further stratified by gender. No significant differences were observed in allele and genotype frequencies of CYP19A1 rs2470152 between total cases and controls (P > 0.05). However, the CYP19A1 rs2470152 polymorphism in the recessive model (AA vs. GG + GA) was associated with increased risk of depression (χ2 = 4.077, P = 0.043, OR = 1.347, 95% CI = 1.008-1.798). After subjects stratification by gender, neither genotypes nor genetic models showed significant differences between cases and controls (all P > 0.05). The results indicated that the CYP19A1 rs2470152 (G > A) polymorphism in the recessive model (AA vs. GG + GA) was correlated with increased risk of depression in Chinese Han population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanping Yang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Huacheng Yan
- Department of Disease Surveillance, Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Southern Theatre Command, Guangzhou, 510507, China
| | - Yanying Kong
- College of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Lebin Liu
- Department of Disease Surveillance, Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Southern Theatre Command, Guangzhou, 510507, China
| | - Qiuju Peng
- College of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yuguan Wen
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangzhou Brain Hospital, Guangzhou, 510510, China
| | - Zhijian Zhou
- Department of Disease Surveillance, Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Southern Theatre Command, Guangzhou, 510507, China
| | - Qingxian Chang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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Song Y, Lu Y, Liang Z, Yang Y, Liu X. Association between rs10046, rs1143704, rs767199, rs727479, rs1065778, rs1062033, rs1008805, and rs700519 polymorphisms in aromatase (CYP19A1) gene and Alzheimer’s disease risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis involving 11,051 subjects. Neurol Sci 2019; 40:2515-2527. [DOI: 10.1007/s10072-019-04003-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Beydoun MA, Tajuddin SM, Shaked D, Beydoun HA, Evans MK, Zonderman AB. One-carbon metabolism gene polymorphisms are associated with cognitive trajectory among African-American adults. Neurobiol Aging 2019; 84:238.e5-238.e18. [PMID: 31208817 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2019.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The sex-specific link between longitudinal annual rate of cognitive change (LARCC) and polymorphisms in one-carbon metabolism enzymatic genes remains unclear, particularly among African-American adults. We tested associations of 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from MTHFR, MTRR, MTR, and SHMT genes and select MTHFR haplotypes and latent classes (SNPHAP/SNPLC) with LARCC. Up to 797 African-American participants in the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span study (age: 30-64 y, 52% women) had 1.6-1.7 (i.e., 1 or 2) repeated measures (follow-up time, mean = 4.69 y) on 9 cognitive test scores, reflecting verbal and visual memory, verbal fluency, psychomotor speed, attention, and executive function: California Verbal Learning Test-immediate recall (CVLT-List A), CVLT-DFR (delayed free recall), Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT), Animal Fluency (AF), Digits Span Forward and Backward tests, and Trail Making Test parts A and B (Trails A and B). Multiple linear mixed-effects and multiple linear regression models were conducted. Overall, MTHFR SNPs rs4846051(A1317G, G>A) and rs1801131(A1298C, G>T) were associated with slower and faster declines on AF, respectively, whereas rs2066462(C1056T, A>G) was related to slower decline on Trails B (executive function). Among men, rs4846051(A1317G, G>A) was linked to faster decline on BVRT (visual memory), whereas rs2066462(C1056T, A>G) and rs9651118(C>T) were associated with slower decline on CVLT-List A and rs9651118(C>T) with faster decline on CVLT-DFR. Among women, a slower decline on the domain "verbal memory/fluency" was observed with rs1801133(C677T, A>G). MTHFR2SNPHAP [rs1801133(C677T, A>G)/rs1801131(A1298C, G>T): GG] was associated with slower decline on AF among women, whereas MTHFR3SNPHAP(AT) was linked with slower decline on CVLT-List A among men but faster decline on "verbal memory/fluency" among women. Similar patterns were observed for MTHFR SNPLCs. In sum, MTHFR gene variations can differentially impact longitudinal changes in multiple cognitive domains among African-American adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- May A Beydoun
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, National Institute on Aging, NIA/NIH/IRP, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Salman M Tajuddin
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, National Institute on Aging, NIA/NIH/IRP, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Danielle Shaked
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, National Institute on Aging, NIA/NIH/IRP, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Catonsville, MD, USA
| | - Hind A Beydoun
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michele K Evans
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, National Institute on Aging, NIA/NIH/IRP, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alan B Zonderman
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, National Institute on Aging, NIA/NIH/IRP, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Estrogenic Regulation of Neuroprotective and Neuroinflammatory Mechanisms: Implications for Depression and Cognition. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-11355-1_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Li J, Rao D, Gibbs RB. Effects of Cholinergic Lesions and Cholinesterase Inhibitors on Aromatase and Estrogen Receptor Expression in Different Regions of the Rat Brain. Neuroscience 2018; 384:203-213. [PMID: 29852246 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cholinergic projections have been shown to interact with estrogens in ways that influence synaptic plasticity and cognitive performance. The mechanisms are not well understood. The goal of this study was to investigate whether cholinergic projections influence brain estrogen production by affecting aromatase (ARO), or influence estrogen signaling by affecting estrogen receptor expression. In the first experiment, ovariectomized rats received intraseptal injection of the selective immunotoxin 192IgG-saporin to destroy cholinergic inputs to the hippocampus. In the second experiment ovariectomized rats received daily intraperitoneal injections of the cholinesterase inhibitors donepezil or galantamine for 1 week. ARO activity and relative levels of ARO, ERα, ERß, and GPR30 mRNAs were quantified in the hippocampus, frontal cortex, amygdala and preoptic area. Results show that the cholinergic lesions effectively removed cholinergic inputs to the hippocampus, but had no significant effect on ARO or on relative levels of ER mRNAs. Likewise, injections of the cholinesterase inhibitors had no effect on ARO or ER expression in most regions of the brain. This suggests that effects of cholinergic inputs on synaptic plasticity and neuronal function are not mediated by effects on local estrogen production or ER expression. One exception was the amygdala where treating with galantamine was associated with a significant increase in ARO activity. The amygdala is a key structure involved in registering fear and anxiety. Hence this finding may be clinically relevant to elderly patients who are treated for memory impairment and who also struggle with fear and anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyi Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Di Rao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Robert B Gibbs
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
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Neural-derived estradiol regulates brain plasticity. J Chem Neuroanat 2018; 89:53-59. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2017.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Revised: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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13
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Park HK, Ilango S, Charriez CM, Checkoway H, Riley D, Standaert DG, Bordelon Y, Shprecher DR, Reich SG, Hall D, Kluger B, Marras C, Jankovic J, Dubinsky R, Litvan I. Lifetime exposure to estrogen and progressive supranuclear palsy: Environmental and Genetic PSP study. Mov Disord 2018; 33:468-472. [PMID: 29460982 PMCID: PMC5840026 DOI: 10.1002/mds.27336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Revised: 12/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies suggesting a protective effect of estrogen in neurodegenerative diseases prompted us to investigate this relationship in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). METHODS This case-control study evaluated the self-reported reproductive characteristics and estrogen of 150 women with PSP and 150 age-matched female controls who participated in the Environmental Genetic-PSP study. Conditional logistic regression models were generated to examine associations of PSP with estrogen. RESULTS There was no association between years of estrogen exposure duration and PSP. There was a suggestion of an inverse association between composite estrogen score and PSP that did not reach statistical significance (P = .06). Any exposure to estrogen replacement therapy halved the risk of PSP (odds ratio = 0.52; 95% confidence interval = 0.30-0.92; P = .03). Among PSP cases, earlier age at menarche was associated with better performance on Hoehn and Yahr stage (β = -0.60; SE = 0.26; P = .02) and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale II score (β = -5.19; SE = 2.48; P = .04) at clinical examination. CONCLUSIONS This case-control study suggests a protective role of lifetime estrogen exposure in PSP. Future studies will be needed to confirm this association. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee Kyung Park
- Department of Neurology, Inje University Ilsan-Paik Hospital, Goyang, Korea
- Movement Disorder Center, Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Sindana Ilango
- Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Christina M. Charriez
- Movement Disorder Center, Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Harvey Checkoway
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | | | - David G. Standaert
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Yvette Bordelon
- Department of Neurology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - David R. Shprecher
- Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, AZ
- Department of Neurology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Stephen G. Reich
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Deborah Hall
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Benzi Kluger
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Connie Marras
- Morto and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Centre and the Edmond J. Saftra Program in Parkinson’s Research, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, USA
| | - Joseph Jankovic
- Parkinson’s Disease Center and Movement Disorders Clinic, Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine
| | | | - Irene Litvan
- Movement Disorder Center, Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
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14
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Zárate S, Stevnsner T, Gredilla R. Role of Estrogen and Other Sex Hormones in Brain Aging. Neuroprotection and DNA Repair. Front Aging Neurosci 2018. [PMID: 29311911 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2017.00430/xml/nlm] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging is an inevitable biological process characterized by a progressive decline in physiological function and increased susceptibility to disease. The detrimental effects of aging are observed in all tissues, the brain being the most important one due to its main role in the homeostasis of the organism. As our knowledge about the underlying mechanisms of brain aging increases, potential approaches to preserve brain function rise significantly. Accumulating evidence suggests that loss of genomic maintenance may contribute to aging, especially in the central nervous system (CNS) owing to its low DNA repair capacity. Sex hormones, particularly estrogens, possess potent antioxidant properties and play important roles in maintaining normal reproductive and non-reproductive functions. They exert neuroprotective actions and their loss during aging and natural or surgical menopause is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, synaptic decline, cognitive impairment and increased risk of age-related disorders. Moreover, loss of sex hormones has been suggested to promote an accelerated aging phenotype eventually leading to the development of brain hypometabolism, a feature often observed in menopausal women and prodromal Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although data on the relation between sex hormones and DNA repair mechanisms in the brain is still limited, various investigations have linked sex hormone levels with different DNA repair enzymes. Here, we review estrogen anti-aging and neuroprotective mechanisms, which are currently an area of intense study, together with the effect they may have on the DNA repair capacity in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Zárate
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED, UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Departamento de Histología, Embriología, Biología Celular y Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Tinna Stevnsner
- Danish Center for Molecular Gerontology and Danish Aging Research Center, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ricardo Gredilla
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
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15
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Rosenfeld CS, Shay DA, Vieira-Potter VJ. Cognitive Effects of Aromatase and Possible Role in Memory Disorders. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:610. [PMID: 30386297 PMCID: PMC6199361 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Diverse cognitive functions in many vertebrate species are influenced by local conversion of androgens to 17β-estradiol (E2) by aromatase. This enzyme is highly expressed in various brain regions across species, with some inter-species variation in terms of regional brain expression. Since women with breast cancer and men and women with other disorders are often treated with aromatase inhibitors (AI), these populations might be especially vulnerable to cognitive deficits due to low neuroE2 synthesis, i.e., synthesis of E2 directly within the brain. Animal models have been useful in deciphering aromatase effects on cognitive functions. Consequences of AI administration at various life cycle stages have been assessed on auditory, song processing, and spatial memory in birds and various aspects of cognition in rodent models. Additionally, cognitive deficits have been described in aromatase knockout (ArKO) mice that systemically lack this gene throughout their lifespan. This review will consider evidence to date that AI treatment in male and female rodent models, birds, and humans results in cognitive impairments. How brain aromatase regulates cognitive function throughout the lifespan, and gaps in current knowledge will be considered, along with future directions to better define how aromatase might guide learning and memory from early development through the geriatric period. Better understanding the importance of E2 synthesis on neurobehavioral responses at various ages will likely aid in the discovery of therapeutic strategies to prevent potential cognitive deficits, including Alzheimer's Disease, in individuals treated with AI or those possessing CYP19 gene polymorphisms, as well as cognitive effects of normal aging that may be related to changes in brain aromatase activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl S. Rosenfeld
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Thompson Center for Autism and Neurobehavioral Disorders, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- *Correspondence: Cheryl S. Rosenfeld
| | - Dusti A. Shay
- Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Victoria J. Vieira-Potter
- Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Victoria J. Vieira-Potter
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16
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Schupf N, Lee JH, Pang D, Zigman WB, Tycko B, Krinsky-McHale S, Silverman W. Epidemiology of estrogen and dementia in women with Down syndrome. Free Radic Biol Med 2018; 114:62-68. [PMID: 28843780 PMCID: PMC5748249 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2017.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Revised: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Several lines of investigation have shown a protective role for estrogen in Alzheimer's disease through a number of biological actions. This review examines studies of the role of estrogen-related factors in age at onset and risk for Alzheimer's disease in women with Down syndrome, a population at high risk for early onset of dementia. The studies are consistent in showing that early age at menopause and that low levels of endogenous bioavailable estradiol in postmenopausal women with Down syndrome are associated with earlier age at onset and overall risk for dementia. Polymorphisms in genes associated with estrogen receptor activity and in genes for estrogen biosynthesis affecting endogenous estrogen are related to age at onset and cumulative incidence of dementia, and may serve as biomarkers of risk. To date, no clinical trials of estrogen or hormone replacement therapy (ERT/HRT) have been published for women with Down syndrome. While findings from clinical trials of ERT or HRT for dementia have generally been negative among women in the neurotypical population, the short interval between menopause and onset of cognitive decline, together with a more positive balance between potential benefits and risks, suggests an opportunity to evaluate the efficacy of ERT/HRT for delaying or preventing dementia in this high risk population, although questions concerning the optimal formulation and timing of the hormone therapy are not yet resolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Schupf
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States; G.H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States; Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States; Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health Columbia University, New York, NY, United States.
| | - Joseph H Lee
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States; G.H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States; Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Deborah Pang
- Department of Psychology, NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, NY, United States
| | - Warren B Zigman
- Department of Psychology, NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, NY, United States
| | - Benjamin Tycko
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sharon Krinsky-McHale
- Department of Psychology, NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, NY, United States
| | - Wayne Silverman
- Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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17
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Zárate S, Stevnsner T, Gredilla R. Role of Estrogen and Other Sex Hormones in Brain Aging. Neuroprotection and DNA Repair. Front Aging Neurosci 2017; 9:430. [PMID: 29311911 PMCID: PMC5743731 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2017.00430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is an inevitable biological process characterized by a progressive decline in physiological function and increased susceptibility to disease. The detrimental effects of aging are observed in all tissues, the brain being the most important one due to its main role in the homeostasis of the organism. As our knowledge about the underlying mechanisms of brain aging increases, potential approaches to preserve brain function rise significantly. Accumulating evidence suggests that loss of genomic maintenance may contribute to aging, especially in the central nervous system (CNS) owing to its low DNA repair capacity. Sex hormones, particularly estrogens, possess potent antioxidant properties and play important roles in maintaining normal reproductive and non-reproductive functions. They exert neuroprotective actions and their loss during aging and natural or surgical menopause is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, synaptic decline, cognitive impairment and increased risk of age-related disorders. Moreover, loss of sex hormones has been suggested to promote an accelerated aging phenotype eventually leading to the development of brain hypometabolism, a feature often observed in menopausal women and prodromal Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Although data on the relation between sex hormones and DNA repair mechanisms in the brain is still limited, various investigations have linked sex hormone levels with different DNA repair enzymes. Here, we review estrogen anti-aging and neuroprotective mechanisms, which are currently an area of intense study, together with the effect they may have on the DNA repair capacity in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Zárate
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED, UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Departamento de Histología, Embriología, Biología Celular y Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Tinna Stevnsner
- Danish Center for Molecular Gerontology and Danish Aging Research Center, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ricardo Gredilla
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
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18
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Beydoun MA, Tajuddin SM, Dore GA, Canas JA, Beydoun HA, Evans MK, Zonderman AB. Vitamin D Receptor and Megalin Gene Polymorphisms Are Associated with Longitudinal Cognitive Change among African-American Urban Adults. J Nutr 2017; 147:1048-1062. [PMID: 28446629 PMCID: PMC5443463 DOI: 10.3945/jn.116.244962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Revised: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The link between longitudinal cognitive change and polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and MEGALIN [or LDL receptor-related protein 2 (LRP2)] genes remains unclear, particularly among African-American (AA) adults.Objectives: We aimed to evaluate associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for VDR [rs11568820 (Cdx-2:T/C), rs1544410 (BsmI:G/A), rs7975232 (ApaI:A/C), rs731236 (TaqI:G/A)] and LRP2 [rs3755166:G/A,rs2075252:C/T, rs2228171:C/T] genes with longitudinal cognitive performance change in various domains of cognition.Methods: Data from 1024 AA urban adult participants in the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity Across the Life Span (Baltimore, Maryland) with complete genetic data were used, of whom 660-797 had complete data on 9 cognitive test scores at baseline and/or the first follow-up examination and complete covariate data (∼52% female; mean age: ∼52 y; mean years of education: 12.6 y). Time between examination visits 1 (2004-2009) and 2 (2009-2013) ranged from <1 y to ∼8 y, with a mean ± SD of 4.64 ± 0.93 y. Latent class and haplotype analyses were conducted by creating gene polymorphism groups that were related to longitudinal annual rate of cognitive change predicted from mixed-effects regression models.Results: Among key findings, the rs3755166:G/A MEGALIN SNP was associated with faster decline on the Mini-Mental State Examination overall (β = -0.002, P = 0.018) and among women. VDR2 (BsmI/ApaI/TaqI: G-/A-/A-) SNP latent class [SNPLC; compared with VDR1 (ApaI: "AA")] was linked to faster decline on the Verbal Fluency Test, Categorical, in women, among whom the MEGALIN2 (rs2228171: "TT") SNPLC (compared with MEGALIN1:rs2228171: "CC") was also associated with a faster decline on the Trailmaking Test, Part B (Trails B), but with a slower decline on the Digit Span Backward (DS-B). Moreover, among men, the VDR1 SNP haplotype (SNPHAP; GCA:baT) was associated with a slower decline on the Trails B, whereas the MEGALIN1 SNPHAP (GCC) was associated with a faster decline on the DS-B, reflected as a faster decline on cognitive domain 2 ("visual/working memory").Conclusion:VDR and MEGALIN gene variations can alter age-related cognitive trajectories differentially between men and women among AA urban adults, specifically in global mental status and domains of verbal fluency, visual/working memory, and executive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- May A Beydoun
- National Institute on Aging, Intramural Research Program, NIH, Baltimore, MD;
| | - Salman M Tajuddin
- National Institute on Aging, Intramural Research Program, NIH, Baltimore, MD
| | - Greg A Dore
- National Institute on Aging, Intramural Research Program, NIH, Baltimore, MD
| | - Jose-Atilio Canas
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Nemour’s Children’s Clinic, Jacksonville, FL; and
| | - Hind A Beydoun
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Michele K Evans
- National Institute on Aging, Intramural Research Program, NIH, Baltimore, MD
| | - Alan B Zonderman
- National Institute on Aging, Intramural Research Program, NIH, Baltimore, MD
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19
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Baravalle R, Di Nardo G, Bandino A, Barone I, Catalano S, Andò S, Gilardi G. Impact of R264C and R264H polymorphisms in human aromatase function. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2017; 167:23-32. [PMID: 27702664 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2016.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Revised: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The cytochrome P450 aromatase is involved in the last step of sex hormones biosynthesis by converting androgens into estrogens. The human enzyme is highly polymorphic and literature data correlate aromatase single nucleotide polymorphisms to the onset of pathologies such as breast cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The aims of this study were i) to study the influence of the mutations R264C and R264H on the structure-function of the enzyme also upon phosphorylation by selected kinases and ii) to compare the activity of the variants to that of aromatase wild type in two different cell lines. Far-UV circular dichroism spectroscopy, thermal denaturation experiments and CO-binding assay showed that the two polymorphic variants are correctly folded. Steady-state kinetics experiments showed that rArom R264C and R264H exhibit a 1.5 and 3.4 folds lower catalytic efficiency, respectively, when compared to the wild type protein. Since R264 is part of the consensus motif of PKA and PKG1, phosphorylation experiments were performed to study the effect on aromatase function. Phosphorylation by PKA caused a decrease in activity by 36.2%, 49.3% and 27.9% in the wild type, R264C and R264H proteins respectively. Phosphorylation by PKG1 was also found to decrease the activity by 30.3%, 30.5% and 15.4% in the wild type, R264C and R264H proteins respectively. Experiments performed on the three full-length proteins expressed in human MCF-7 breast cancer cells and rat ST14A neuronal cells showed that, depending on the cell line used, the activity of the proteins is different, implicating different cellular mechanisms modulating aromatase activity. This work demonstrate that R264 polymorphism causes an intrinsic alteration of aromatase activity together with a different consensus for phosphorylation by different kinases, indicating that estrogen production can be different when such mutations are present. These findings are significant in understanding the onset and treatment of pathologies in which aromatase has been shown to be involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Baravalle
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy
| | - Giovanna Di Nardo
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy; CrisDi, Interdepartmental Center for Crystallography, via Pietro Giuria 7, 10125, Torino, Italy
| | - Andrea Bandino
- Department of Medicine and Experimental Oncology, University of Torino, Via Michelangelo 27, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Ines Barone
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Stefania Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Andò
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Gilardi
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy; CrisDi, Interdepartmental Center for Crystallography, via Pietro Giuria 7, 10125, Torino, Italy.
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20
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Zheng J, Yan H, Shi L, Kong Y, Zhao Y, Xie L, Li J, Huang M, Li J, Zhao S. The CYP19A1 rs3751592 variant confers susceptibility to Alzheimer disease in the Chinese Han population. Medicine (Baltimore) 2016; 95:e4742. [PMID: 27583919 PMCID: PMC5008603 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000004742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The CYP19A1 enzyme (aromatase) encoded by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 19A1 gene influences the final step in the biosynthesis of estrogen, which has been associated with Alzheimer disease (AD). It is possible that genetic polymorphisms in CYP19A1 could influence the risk of AD by altering the expression of CYP19A1. The ε4 allele of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene, which is the most significant known genetic risk factor for AD, may mask the effects of other loci. METHODS To assess the potential association of CYP19A1 gene polymorphisms with the risk of AD, we conducted a case-control study in a Chinese Han population by recruiting 463 cases, including 207 patients diagnosed with AD and 256 healthy people matched for sex and age. RESULTS In APOE ε4 carriers, the distributions of the G allele and the AG + GG genotype of CYP19A1 rs3751592 in patients differed significantly (P < 0.05) from those in healthy people. However, no difference was observed in the distribution of CYP19A1 rs1065778 between the patient and control populations, regardless of their APOE ε4 status. CONCLUSION The results demonstrated that the rs3751592 A/G polymorphism of the CYP19A1 gene was associated with the incidence of AD in a Chinese Han population, which suggests that CYP19A1 rs3751592 is a predisposing genetic factor for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqiang Zheng
- Southern Medical University
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command
| | - Huacheng Yan
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Guangzhou Military Command, Guangzhou, China
- Correspondence: Huacheng Yan, Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Guangzhou Military Command, Guangzhou 510507, China (e-mail: ) or Shujin Zhao, Department of Pharmacy, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command, Guangzhou 510010, China (e-mail: )
| | - Lei Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command
| | - Yanying Kong
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command
| | - Yongpan Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command
| | - Li Xie
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command
| | - Mukun Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command
| | - Jin Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command
| | - Shujin Zhao
- Southern Medical University
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command
- Correspondence: Huacheng Yan, Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Guangzhou Military Command, Guangzhou 510507, China (e-mail: ) or Shujin Zhao, Department of Pharmacy, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command, Guangzhou 510010, China (e-mail: )
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21
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Biegon A. In vivo visualization of aromatase in animals and humans. Front Neuroendocrinol 2016; 40:42-51. [PMID: 26456904 PMCID: PMC4783227 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2015.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2015] [Revised: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Aromatase catalyzes the last and obligatory step in the biosynthesis of estrogens across species. In vivo visualization of aromatase can be performed using positron emission tomography (PET) with radiolabeled aromatase inhibitors such as [(11)C]vorozole. PET studies in rats, monkeys and healthy human subjects demonstrate widespread but heterogeneous aromatase availability in brain and body, which appears to be regulated in a species, sex and region-specific manner. Thus, aromatase availability is high in brain amygdala and in ovaries of all species examined to date, with males demonstrating higher levels than females in all comparable organs. However, the highest concentrations of aromatase in the human brain are found in specific nuclei of the thalamus while the highest levels in rats and monkeys are found in the amygdala. Regional brain aromatase availability is increased by androgens and inhibited by nicotine. Future studies may improve diagnosis and treatment in brain disorders and cancers overexpressing aromatase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anat Biegon
- Department of Neurology, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY 11794-2565, United States.
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22
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23
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Arevalo MA, Azcoitia I, Garcia-Segura LM. The neuroprotective actions of oestradiol and oestrogen receptors. Nat Rev Neurosci 2014; 16:17-29. [PMID: 25423896 DOI: 10.1038/nrn3856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 300] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hormones regulate homeostasis by communicating through the bloodstream to the body's organs, including the brain. As homeostatic regulators of brain function, some hormones exert neuroprotective actions. This is the case for the ovarian hormone 17β-oestradiol, which signals through oestrogen receptors (ERs) that are widely distributed in the male and female brain. Recent discoveries have shown that oestradiol is not only a reproductive hormone but also a brain-derived neuroprotective factor in males and females and that ERs coordinate multiple signalling mechanisms that protect the brain from neurodegenerative diseases, affective disorders and cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Angeles Arevalo
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, E-28002 Madrid, Spain
| | - Iñigo Azcoitia
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Universidad Complutense, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis M Garcia-Segura
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, E-28002 Madrid, Spain
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24
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Li R, Cui J, Shen Y. Brain sex matters: estrogen in cognition and Alzheimer's disease. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2014; 389:13-21. [PMID: 24418360 PMCID: PMC4040318 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2013.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2013] [Revised: 12/31/2013] [Accepted: 12/31/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Estrogens are the primary female sex hormones and play important roles in both reproductive and non-reproductive systems. Estrogens can be synthesized in non-reproductive tissues such as liver, heart, muscle, bone and the brain. During the past decade, increasing evidence suggests that brain estrogen can not only be synthesized by neurons, but also by astrocytes. Brain estrogen also works locally at the site of synthesis in paracrine and/or intracrine fashion to maintain important tissue-specific functions. Here, we will focus on the biology of brain estrogen and its impact on cognitive function and Alzheimer's disease. This comprehensive review provides new insights into brain estrogens by presenting a better understanding of the tissue-specific estrogen effects and their roles in healthy ageing and cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rena Li
- Center for Hormone Advanced Science and Education (CHASE), Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL 34243, United States.
| | - Jie Cui
- Center for Hormone Advanced Science and Education (CHASE), Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL 34243, United States
| | - Yong Shen
- Center for Advanced Therapeutic Strategies for Brain Disorders (CATSBD), Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL 34243, United States
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25
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Xing Y, Jia J, Ji X, Tian T. Estrogen associated gene polymorphisms and their interactions in the progress of Alzheimer's disease. Prog Neurobiol 2013; 111:53-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2013.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2012] [Revised: 08/21/2013] [Accepted: 09/24/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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26
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Zettergren A, Jonsson L, Johansson D, Melke J, Lundström S, Anckarsäter H, Lichtenstein P, Westberg L. Associations between polymorphisms in sex steroid related genes and autistic-like traits. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2013; 38:2575-84. [PMID: 23867117 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2013] [Revised: 05/24/2013] [Accepted: 06/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Sex differences in psychiatric disorders are common, which is particularly striking in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) that are four times more prevalent in boys. High levels of testosterone during early development have been hypothesized to be a risk factor for ASDs, supported by several studies showing fetal testosterone levels, as well as indirect measures of prenatal androgenization, to be associated with ASDs and autistic-like traits (ALTs). Further, the importance of sex steroid related genes in ASDs is supported by studies reporting associations between polymorphisms in genes involved in sex steroid synthesis/metabolism and ASDs and ALTs. The aim of the present study was to investigate possible associations between 29 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in eight genes related to sex steroids and autistic features. Individuals included in the study belong to a subset (n=1771) from The Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden (CATSS), which are all assessed for ALTs. For two SNPs, rs2747648 located in the 3'-UTR of ESR1 encoding the estrogen receptor alpha and rs523349 (Leu89Val) located in SRD5A2 encoding 5-alpha-reductase, type 2, highly significant associations with ALTs were found in boys and girls, respectively. The results of the present study suggest that SNPs in sex steroid related genes, known to affect gene expression (rs2747648 in ESR1) and enzymatic activity (Leu89Val in SRD5A2), seem to be associated with ALTs in a general population. In conclusion, the current findings provide further support for a role of sex steroids in the pathophysiology of ASDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Zettergren
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Pharmacology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
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Umamaheswaran G, Dkhar SA, Kalaivani S, Anjana R, Revathy M, Jaharamma M, Shree KML, Kadambari D, Adithan C. Haplotype structures and functional polymorphic variants of the drug target enzyme aromatase (CYP19A1) in South Indian population. Med Oncol 2013; 30:665. [PMID: 23893151 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-013-0665-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2013] [Accepted: 07/12/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
CYP19A1 gene product aromatase (CYP19A1) is a 58-kDa protein and belongs to the member of the cytochrome P450 superfamily, which facilitates the bioconversion of estrogens from androgens. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CYP19A1 affect the activity of the enzyme and have been implicated in the association of estrogen-dependent disease, prognosis, therapeutic efficacy, and toxicity of third-generation aromatase inhibitors (AIs). Based on ethnicity, the frequency distribution of CYP19A1 alleles will differ, and until now, no data are available for Indians. Using qRT-PCR with TaqMan assays, the frequencies of functionally important polymorphic variants of CYP19A1 gene were determined in 163 healthy subjects of South Indian origin. The observed frequencies of the CYP19A1 minor alleles for the SNPs rs4646 (T), rs10046 (T), rs700519 (T), rs700518 (G), rs727479 (G), rs4775936 (T), rs10459592 (G), rs749292 (A), rs6493497 (T), and rs7176005 (A) are 41.1 (35.8-46.4), 20.0 (15.6-24.3), 33.7 (28.6-38.9), 17.8 (13.6-21.9), 25.8 (21.0-30.5), 19.9 (15.6-24.3), 33.7 (28.6-38.9), 24.9 (20.2-29.5), 35.9 (30.7-41.1), and 35.9 (30.7-41.1), respectively. Strong linkage disequilibrium existed between CYP19A1 SNPs, and sixteen different haplotype structures with a frequency >1% were derived from all the 10 SNPs tested. The most common being the haplotype (H1) GCTATCTGTG with a frequency of about 17.8%. Gender-specific assessment showed significant difference in the allele frequency for rs749292 (p < 0.04), and greater inter-ethnic variation was detected in the distribution of CYP19A1 variants except for rs727479. Our results could provide preliminary insight for further pharmacogenetic investigations of AIs as well as for subsequent molecular epidemiological studies on the contribution of these variants to the occurrence and development of estrogen-dependent disease in South Indians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gurusamy Umamaheswaran
- ICMR Centre for Advanced Research in Pharmacogenomics, Department of Pharmacology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry 605006, India.
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The sex-specific associations of the aromatase gene with Alzheimer's disease and its interaction with IL10 in the Epistasis Project. Eur J Hum Genet 2013; 22:216-20. [PMID: 23736221 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2013.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2012] [Revised: 01/21/2013] [Accepted: 02/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Epistasis between interleukin-10 (IL10) and aromatase gene polymorphisms has previously been reported to modify the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, although the main effects of aromatase variants suggest a sex-specific effect in AD, there has been insufficient power to detect sex-specific epistasis between these genes to date. Here we used the cohort of 1757 AD patients and 6294 controls in the Epistasis Project. We replicated the previously reported main effects of aromatase polymorphisms in AD risk in women, for example, adjusted odds ratio of disease for rs1065778 GG=1.22 (95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.48, P=0.03). We also confirmed a reported epistatic interaction between IL10 rs1800896 and aromatase (CYP19A1) rs1062033, again only in women: adjusted synergy factor=1.94 (1.16-3.25, 0.01). Aromatase, a rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of estrogens, is expressed in AD-relevant brain regions ,and is downregulated during the disease. IL-10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine. Given that estrogens have neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities and regulate microglial cytokine production, epistasis is biologically plausible. Diminishing serum estrogen in postmenopausal women, coupled with suboptimal brain estrogen synthesis, may contribute to the inflammatory state, that is a pathological hallmark of AD.
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Elias-Sonnenschein LS, Helisalmi S, Natunen T, Hall A, Paajanen T, Herukka SK, Laitinen M, Remes AM, Koivisto AM, Mattila KM, Lehtimäki T, Verhey FRJ, Visser PJ, Soininen H, Hiltunen M. Genetic loci associated with Alzheimer's disease and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in a Finnish case-control cohort. PLoS One 2013; 8:e59676. [PMID: 23573206 PMCID: PMC3616106 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0059676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2012] [Accepted: 02/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives To understand the relation between risk genes for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and their influence on biomarkers for AD, we examined the association of AD in the Finnish cohort with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from top AlzGene loci, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and candidate gene studies; and tested the correlation between these SNPs and AD markers Aβ1–42, total tau (t-tau), and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Methods We tested 25 SNPs for genetic association with clinical AD in our cohort comprised of 890 AD patients and 701-age matched healthy controls using logistic regression. For the correlational study with biomarkers, we tested 36 SNPs in a subset of 222 AD patients with available CSF using mixed models. Statistical analyses were adjusted for age, gender and APOE status. False discovery rate for multiple testing was applied. All participants were from academic hospital and research institutions in Finland. Results APOE-ε4, CLU rs11136000, and MS4A4A rs2304933 correlated with significantly decreased Aβ1–42 (corrected p<0.05). At an uncorrected p<0.05, PPP3R1 rs1868402 and MAPT rs2435211 were related with increased t-tau; while SORL1 rs73595277 and MAPT rs16940758, with increased p-tau. Only TOMM40 rs2075650 showed association with clinical AD after adjusting for APOE-ε4 (p = 0.007), but not after multiple test correction (p>0.05). Conclusions We provide evidence that APOE-ε4, CLU and MS4A4A, which have been identified in GWAS to be associated with AD, also significantly reduced CSF Aβ1–42 in AD. None of the other AlzGene and GWAS loci showed significant effects on CSF tau. The effects of other SNPs on CSF biomarkers and clinical AD diagnosis did not reach statistical significance. Our findings suggest that APOE-ε4, CLU and MS4A4A influence both AD risk and CSF Aβ1–42.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyzel S. Elias-Sonnenschein
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Alzheimer Center Limburg, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Seppo Helisalmi
- Institute of Clinical Medicine-Neurology, University of Eastern Finland and Department of Neurology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
- * E-mail:
| | - Teemu Natunen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine-Neurology, University of Eastern Finland and Department of Neurology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Anette Hall
- Institute of Clinical Medicine-Neurology, University of Eastern Finland and Department of Neurology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Teemu Paajanen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine-Neurology, University of Eastern Finland and Department of Neurology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sanna-Kaisa Herukka
- Institute of Clinical Medicine-Neurology, University of Eastern Finland and Department of Neurology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Marjo Laitinen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine-Neurology, University of Eastern Finland and Department of Neurology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Anne M. Remes
- Institute of Clinical Medicine-Neurology, University of Eastern Finland and Department of Neurology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Anne M. Koivisto
- Institute of Clinical Medicine-Neurology, University of Eastern Finland and Department of Neurology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kari M. Mattila
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Fimlab Laboratories and School of Medicine, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Terho Lehtimäki
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Fimlab Laboratories and School of Medicine, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Frans R. J. Verhey
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Alzheimer Center Limburg, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter Jelle Visser
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Alzheimer Center Limburg, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Center, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hilkka Soininen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine-Neurology, University of Eastern Finland and Department of Neurology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Mikko Hiltunen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine-Neurology, University of Eastern Finland and Department of Neurology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
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Janicki S, Park N, Cheng R, Schupf N, Clark L, Lee JH. Aromatase variants modify risk for Alzheimer's disease in a multiethnic female cohort. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2013; 35:340-6. [PMID: 23635391 PMCID: PMC4036496 DOI: 10.1159/000343074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Few studies of gene variants that affect estrogen activity investigate their association with risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) in women of different ethnicities. We investigated the influence of CYP19 polymorphisms on risk for AD in a multiethnic cohort of women, with individual ethnicity assessed by genetic population ancestry informative markers (AIMs) as well as by self-identified ethnicity. METHODS Among 1,686 women participating in the Washington Heights Inwood Columbia Aging Project, association with risk for AD was assessed for 41 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the CYP19 gene using multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for age, presence of an APOE ε4 allele, years of education, and body mass index. RESULTS Risk for AD was associated with 6 SNPs in women of predominantly Caucasian AIMs-defined ancestry. Of these, 2 were also associated with decreased risk of AD in women of admixed/Hispanic AIMs ancestry. Two separate SNPs were found to be protective in women of predominantly African AIMs-based ancestry. CONCLUSIONS CYP19 polymorphisms affect risk for AD in women, and risk alleles vary by AIMs-defined ancestry. These effects are possibly due to linkage disequilibrium patterns or differences in the prevalence of comorbid risk factors mediating the SNP effect on risk for AD by group.
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Affiliation(s)
- S.C. Janicki
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia Univ., NY, NY,Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia Univ., NY, NY,Department of Neurology, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia Univ., NY, NY
| | - N. Park
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia Univ., NY, NY,Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia Univ., NY, NY
| | - R. Cheng
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia Univ., NY, NY,Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia Univ., NY, NY
| | - N. Schupf
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia Univ., NY, NY,Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia Univ., NY, NY,Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia Univ., NY, NY,Departments of Epidemiology and Psychiatry, Columbia Univ. Medical Center, NY, NY
| | - L.N. Clark
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia Univ., NY, NY,Center for Human Genetics, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia Univ., NY, NY,Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia Univ., NY, NY
| | - J. H. Lee
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia Univ., NY, NY,Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia Univ., NY, NY,Departments of Epidemiology and Psychiatry, Columbia Univ. Medical Center, NY, NY,Center for Human Genetics, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia Univ., NY, NY
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Biegon A, Alia-Klein N, Fowler JS. Potential contribution of aromatase inhibition to the effects of nicotine and related compounds on the brain. Front Pharmacol 2012; 3:185. [PMID: 23133418 PMCID: PMC3490106 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2012.00185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2012] [Accepted: 10/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cigarette smoking continues to be a major public health problem, and while smoking rates in men have shown some decrease over the last few decades, smoking rates among girls and young women are increasing. Practically all of the important aspects of cigarette smoking and many effects of nicotine are sexually dimorphic (reviewed by Pogun and Yararbas, 2009). Women become addicted more easily than men, while finding it harder to quit. Nicotine replacement appears to be less effective in women. This may be linked to the observation that women are more sensitive than men to non-nicotine cues or ingredients in cigarettes. The reasons for these sex differences are mostly unknown. Several lines of evidence suggest that many of the reported sex differences related to cigarette smoking may stem from the inhibitory effects of nicotine and other tobacco alkaloids on estrogen synthesis via the enzyme aromatase (cyp19a gene product). Aromatase is the last enzyme in estrogen biosynthesis, catalyzing the conversion of androgens to estrogens. This review provides a summary of experimental evidence supporting brain aromatase as a potential mediator and/or modulator of nicotine actions in the brain, contributing to sex differences in smoking behavior. Additional research on the interaction between tobacco smoke, nicotine, and aromatase may help devise new, sex specific methods for prevention and treatment of smoking addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anat Biegon
- Brookhaven National Laboratory Upton, NY, USA
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Chace C, Pang D, Weng C, Temkin A, Lax S, Silverman W, Zigman W, Ferin M, Lee JH, Tycko B, Schupf N. Variants in CYP17 and CYP19 cytochrome P450 genes are associated with onset of Alzheimer's disease in women with down syndrome. J Alzheimers Dis 2012; 28:601-12. [PMID: 22057025 DOI: 10.3233/jad-2011-110860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
CYP17 and CYP19 are involved in the peripheral synthesis of estrogens, and polymorphisms in CYP17 and CYP19 have been associated with increased risk of estrogen-related disorders. Women with Down syndrome (DS) have early onset and high risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). We conducted a prospective community-based cohort study to examine the relationship between SNPs in CYP17 and CYP19 and cumulative incidence of AD, hormone levels and sex hormone binding globulin in women with DS. Two hundred and thirty-five women with DS, 31 to 67 years of age and nondemented at initial examination, were assessed for cognitive and functional abilities, behavioral/psychiatric conditions, and health status at 14-20 month intervals over five assessment cycles. We genotyped these individuals for single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CYP17 and CYP19. Four SNPs in CYP17 were associated with a two and one half-fold increased risk of AD, independent of APOE genotype. Four SNPs in CYP19 were associated with a two-fold increased risk of AD, although three were significant only in those without an APOE ε4 allele. Further, carrying high risk alleles in both CYP17 and CYP19 was associated with an almost four-fold increased risk of AD (OR = 3.8, 95% CI, 1.6-9.5) and elevated sex hormone binding globulin in postmenopausal women. The main effect of the CYP17 and CYP19 variants was to decrease the age at onset. These findings suggest that genes contributing to estrogen bioavailability influence risk of AD in women with DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constance Chace
- The Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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Zhao Q, Lee JH, Pang D, Temkin A, Park N, Janicki SC, Zigman WB, Silverman W, Tycko B, Schupf N. Estrogen receptor-Beta variants are associated with increased risk of Alzheimer's disease in women with down syndrome. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2012; 32:241-9. [PMID: 22156442 PMCID: PMC3250648 DOI: 10.1159/000334522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/04/2011] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Genetic variants that affect estrogen activity may influence the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We examined the relation of polymorphisms in the gene for the estrogen receptor-beta (ESR2) to the risk of AD in women with Down syndrome. METHODS Two hundred and forty-nine women with Down syndrome, 31-70 years of age and nondemented at baseline, were followed at 14- to 18-month intervals for 4 years. Women were genotyped for 13 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ESR2 gene, and their association with AD incidence was examined. RESULTS Among postmenopausal women, we found a 2-fold increase in the risk of AD for women carrying 1 or 2 copies of the minor allele at 3 SNPs in introns seven (rs17766755) and six (rs4365213 and rs12435857) and 1 SNP in intron eight (rs4986938) of ESR2. CONCLUSION These findings support a role for estrogen and its major brain receptors in modulating susceptibility to AD in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y
| | - Joseph H. Lee
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y.,G.H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y.,Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y
| | - Deborah Pang
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y.,Department of Psychology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, N.Y
| | - Alexis Temkin
- Department of Pathology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y
| | - Naeun Park
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y
| | - Sarah C. Janicki
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y.,G.H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y.,Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y
| | - Warren B. Zigman
- Department of Psychology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, N.Y
| | - Wayne Silverman
- Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA
| | - Benjamin Tycko
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y.,Department of Pathology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y
| | - Nicole Schupf
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y.,Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y.,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, N.Y.,*Nicole Schupf, PhD, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, PO Box 16, 630 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032 (USA), Tel. +1 212 305 2381, E-Mail
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Corbo RM, Gambina G, Broggio E, Scacchi R. Influence of variation in the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor gene (FSHR) and age at menopause on the development of Alzheimer's disease in women. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2012; 32:63-9. [PMID: 21865747 DOI: 10.1159/000330472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The higher prevalence of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) in women may be explained by their longer life expectancy, but also by biological gender-specific factors such as a woman's past fertility. METHODS We investigated the relationship between fertility and susceptibility to AD in women by studying two polymorphisms at codons 307 and 680 of the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor gene (FSHR) involved in determining human fertility. The role of age at menopause (AM) as a gender-specific AD susceptibility determinant was also examined. The study population comprised 291 AD patients (70.1% women) and 134 controls (63.4% women). RESULTS Logistic regression analysis showed that only among the women the FSHR AS/AS genotype was associated with a significantly lower risk of AD (OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.15-0.85), suggesting a gender-specific protective role of the FSHR genotype against AD susceptibility. A lower age at natural menopause was observed in the AD patients (49.7 ± 2.53) than in the controls (50.7 ± 2.53, p = 0.02) and on linear regression analysis an association emerged between an earlier AM and an earlier AD onset (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS Genetic and non-genetic gender-specific factors may contribute to the AD pathogenesis in women, although further investigations are required to clarify their actual role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Maria Corbo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy. rosamaria.corbo @ uniroma1.it
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Beydoun MA, Ding EL, Beydoun HA, Tanaka T, Ferrucci L, Zonderman AB. Vitamin D receptor and megalin gene polymorphisms and their associations with longitudinal cognitive change in US adults. Am J Clin Nutr 2012; 95:163-78. [PMID: 22170372 PMCID: PMC3238459 DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.111.017137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vitamin D receptor (VDR) and the megalin gene polymorphism's link with longitudinal cognitive change remains unclear. OBJECTIVE The associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for VDR [rs11568820 (CdX-2:T/C), rs1544410 (BsmI:G/A), rs7975232 (ApaI:A/C), rs731236 (TaqI:G/A)], and Megalin (rs3755166:G/A; rs2075252:C/T; rs4668123:C/T) genes with longitudinal cognitive performance changes were examined. DESIGN Data from 702 non-Hispanic white participants in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging were used. Longitudinal annual rates of cognitive change (LARCCs) between age 50 y and the individual mean follow-up age were predicted with linear mixed models by using all cognitive score time points (prediction I) or time points before dementia onset (prediction II). Latent class, haplotype, and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS Among key findings, in OLS models with SNP latent classes as predictors for LARCCs, Megalin(2) [rs3755166(-)/rs2075252(TT)/rs4668123(T-)] compared with Megalin(1) [rs3755166(-)/rs2075252(CC)/rs4668123(-)] was associated with greater decline among men for verbal memory (prediction II). Significant sex differences were also found for SNP haplotype (SNPHAP). In women, VDR(1) [BsmI(G-)/ApaI(C-)/TaqI(A-); baT] was linked to a greater decline in category fluency (prediction I: β = -0.031, P = 0.012). The Megalin(1) SNPHAP (GCC) was related to greater decline among women for verbal memory, immediate recall [California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT), List A; prediction II: β = -0.043, P = 0.006) but to slower decline among men for delayed recall (CVLT-DR: β > 0, P < 0.0125; both predictions). In women, the Megalin(2) SNPHAP (ACC) was associated with slower decline in category fluency (prediction II: β = +0.026, P = 0.005). Another finding was that Megalin SNP rs3755166:G/A was associated with greater decline in global cognition in both sexes combined and in verbal memory in men. CONCLUSION Sex-specific VDR and Megalin gene variations can modify age-related cognitive decline among US adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- May A Beydoun
- National Institute on Aging, Intramural Research Program, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Abstract
Within the CNS of vertebrates, estrogens can directly modulate neural circuits that govern a wide range of behaviors, including feeding, spatial navigation, reproduction, and auditory processing. The rapid actions of estrogens in brain (seconds to minutes) have become well established, but it is unclear how estrogens are synthesized and released within restricted temporal and spatial domains in neural circuits. Anatomical localization of the estrogen synthesis enzyme (aromatase) within presynaptic terminals suggests that neuroestrogens can be synthesized directly at the neuronal synapse. A consequent prediction follows that synaptic estrogen production is controlled via classical electrochemical events in neurons. Here, we present evidence that acute fluctuations in local neuroestrogen levels in the forebrain of the zebra finch depend on calcium influx within presynaptic terminals. In vivo experiments using microdialysis linked to a sensitive estrogen ELISA showed that local forebrain neuroestrogens were both suppressed by potassium-evoked excitation and upregulated during 30 min periods of extracellular calcium depletion in a region enriched with presynaptic aromatase. Furthermore, potassium-evoked changes in local neuroestrogens were blocked by targeted delivery of the voltage-gated calcium channel blocker ω-conotoxin GVIA. Together, these experiments indicate that neuroestrogens are controlled by specific, depolarization-sensitive, calcium-dependent events within forebrain presynaptic terminals.
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Srivastava DP, Penzes P. Rapid estradiol modulation of neuronal connectivity and its implications for disease. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2011; 2:77. [PMID: 22654827 PMCID: PMC3356153 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2011.00077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2011] [Accepted: 11/04/2011] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrogens have multiple actions in the brain including modulating synaptic plasticity, connectivity, and cognitive behaviors. While the classical view of estrogens are as endocrine signals, whose effects manifest via the regulation of gene transcription, mounting evidence has been presented demonstrating that estrogens have rapid effects within specific areas of the brain. The emergence that 17 β-estradiol can be produced locally in the brain which can elicit rapid (within minutes) cellular responses has led to its classification as a neurosteroid. Moreover, recent studies have also begun to detail the molecular and cellular underpinnings of how 17 β-estradiol can rapidly modulate spiny synapses (dendritic spines). Remodeling of dendritic spines is a key step in the rewiring of neuronal circuitry thought to underlie the processing and storage of information in the forebrain. Conversely, abnormal remodeling of dendritic spines is thought to contribute to a number of psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. Here we review recent molecular and cellular work that offers a potential mechanism of how 17 β-estradiol may modulate synapse structure and function of cortical neurons. This mechanism allows cortical neurons to respond to activity-dependent stimuli with greater efficacy. In turn this form of plasticity may provide an insight into how 17 β-estradiol can modulate the rewiring of neuronal circuits, underlying its ability to influencing cortically based behaviors. We will then go on to discuss the potential role of 17 β-estradiol modulation of neural circuits and its potential relevance for the treatment of psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak P. Srivastava
- Department of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern UniversityChicago, IL, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Centre for the Cellular Basis of Behaviour, The James Black Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College LondonLondon, UK
- *Correspondence: Deepak P. Srivastava, Department of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. e-mail:
| | - Peter Penzes
- Department of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern UniversityChicago, IL, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern UniversityChicago, IL, USA
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Grover S, Talwar P, Baghel R, Kaur H, Gupta M, Gourie-Devi M, Bala K, Sharma S, Kukreti R. Genetic variability in estrogen disposition: Potential clinical implications for neuropsychiatric disorders. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2010; 153B:1391-410. [PMID: 20886541 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.31119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2010] [Accepted: 08/03/2010] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Variability in the physiological levels of neuroactive estrogens is widely believed to play a role in predisposition to several disorders of the central nervous system. Local biosynthesis of estrogens in the brain as well as their circulating serum levels are known to contribute to this pool of neuroactive steroids. It has been well accepted that estrogens modulate neuronal functions by affecting genesis, differentiation, excitability, and degeneration of nerve cells. These actions of estrogens appear to be more prominent in females with higher concentrations and marked variability of circulating serum levels occurring over a woman's lifetime. However, our knowledge regarding the variability of neuroactive steroid levels is very limited. Furthermore, several studies have recently reported differences in the synchronization of circulating and neuronal levels of estradiol. In the absence of reliable circulating steroid levels, knowledge of genetic variability in estrogen disposition may play a determining factor in predicting altered susceptibility or severity of neuropsychiatric disorders in women. Over the past decade, several genetic variants have been linked to both differential serum estrogen levels and predisposition to diverse types of neuropsychiatric disorders in women. Polymorphisms in genes encoding estrogen-metabolizing enzymes as well as estrogen receptors may account for this phenotypic variability. In this review, we attempt to show the contribution of genetics in determining estrogenicity in females with a particular emphasis on the central nervous system. This knowledge will further provide a driving force for unearthing the novel field of "Estrogen Pharmacogenomics." © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Grover
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi, India
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Corbo RM, Ulizzi L, Positano L, Scacchi R. Association of CYP19 and ESR1 Pleiotropic Genes With Human Longevity. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2010; 66:51-5. [DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glq160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Abstract
Research increasingly suggests that changes in estrogen levels during aging may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease, the most common type of dementia. This update reviews the newest information about estrogen and cognitive aging, including information regarding the role of bioavailable estrogen in older women and men, use of selective estrogen receptor modulators to improve cognition, and studies of genetic risk factors to elucidate the effects of endogenous estrogen on aging and cognition. Future trials are needed to determine whether alternate timing, dosage, formulation, or method of administration of hormone replacement can reduce the risk of dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C Janicki
- G. H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University Medical Center, 622 West 168th Street, PH-19, New York, NY 10019, USA.
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Corder EH, Mellick GD. Parkinson's disease in relation to pesticide exposure and nuclear encoded mitochondrial complex I gene variants. J Biomed Biotechnol 2010; 2006:27601. [PMID: 17047302 PMCID: PMC1510938 DOI: 10.1155/jbb/2006/27601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common age-related neurodegenerative disorder thought to result from the integrated effects of genetic
background and exposure to neuronal toxins. Certain individual nuclear-encoded mitochondrial complex I gene polymorphisms were found to be associated with ∼ 2-fold risk variation in an Australian case-control sample. We further characterized this
sample of 306 cases and 321 controls to determine the mutual information contained in the 22 SNPs and, additionally, level of pesticide exposure: five distinct risk sets were
identified using grade-of-membership analysis. Of these, one was robust to pesticide exposure (I), three were vulnerable (II, III, IV), and another (V) denoted low risk for unexposed persons. Risk for individual subjects varied > 16-fold according to level of membership in the vulnerable groups. We conclude that inherited variation in mitochondrial complex I genes and pesticide exposure together modulate risk for PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth H. Corder
- Center for Demographic Studies, Duke University, 2117
Campus Drive, PO Box 90408, Durham, NC 27708-0408, USA
- *Elizabeth H. Corder:
| | - George D. Mellick
- Eskitis Institute for Cell and Molecular Therapies, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111 Australia
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Hogervorst E, Matthews FE, Brayne C. Are optimal levels of testosterone associated with better cognitive function in healthy older women and men? Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2010; 1800:1145-52. [PMID: 20060437 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2009.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2009] [Revised: 12/04/2009] [Accepted: 12/31/2009] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex steroids can positively affect the brain and from this it would follow that high levels of sex steroids could be associated with better cognitive function in older men and women. METHODS This Healthy Ageing Study sample comprised of 521 older participants (51% women) without dementia at baseline, with an age range from 64 to 94 years. Testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin were measured using the automated Immulite 2000 and analyzed in association with baseline memory, global cognitive function and decline (assessed using the Mini-Mental Status Examination or MMSE) and controlling for potential confounds such as age, education, vascular disease, smoking, diabetes, thyroid function, and body mass index. RESULTS In healthy older men and women, optimal levels of testosterone were associated with better MMSE scores at baseline. Follow-up analyses indicated that in men, low testosterone levels (OR=.94, 95% CI=.88 to 1.00) were a risk factor for a sharp cognitive decline after 2 years, perhaps indicative of dementia. Associations were independent of covariates and baseline MMSE. Conversely, women at risk for a sharp drop in cognitive function showed some evidence for higher calculated free testosterone levels at baseline. CONCLUSIONS Results replicate earlier cross-sectional findings that high levels of sex steroids are not associated with better cognitive function in older people. In men, age accelerated endocrinological change could be associated with dementia pathology. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE These data do not support increasing testosterone levels to prevent cognitive decline in men and women over 65 years of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eef Hogervorst
- Department of Human Sciences, Brockington Building, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK.
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Abstract
Aromatase is the enzyme that catalyzes the last step of estrogen biosynthesis. It is expressed in many tissues such as the gonads, brain and adipose tissue. The regulation of the level and activity of aromatase determines the levels of estrogens that have endocrine, paracrine and autocrine effects on tissues. Estrogens play many roles in the body, regulating reproduction, metabolism and behavior. In the brain, cell survival and the activity of neurons are affected by estrogens and hence aromatase.
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Association of the aromatase gene with Alzheimer's disease in women. Neurosci Lett 2010; 468:202-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2009.10.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2009] [Revised: 10/15/2009] [Accepted: 10/27/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Yague JG, Azcoitia I, DeFelipe J, Garcia-Segura LM, Muñoz A. Aromatase expression in the normal and epileptic human hippocampus. Brain Res 2009; 1315:41-52. [PMID: 19815003 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2009.09.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2009] [Revised: 09/28/2009] [Accepted: 09/28/2009] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Aromatase is a key enzyme in estrogen biosynthesis that is involved in neuronal plasticity in the rodent hippocampus. Although aromatase mRNA expression has been detected in the human hippocampus, its cellular distribution has yet to be determined. Here, we have examined the immunohistochemical distribution of aromatase in the normal and the epileptic and sclerotic human hippocampus. In both the normal and epileptic hippocampus, aromatase was detected in numerous CA1-CA3 pyramidal neurons, in granule cells of the dentate gyrus and in interneurons that co-expressed the calcium-binding proteins calbindin, calretinin or parvalbumin. However, only a small subpopulation of astrocytes was immunoreactive for aromatase in either the normal and epileptic hippocampus. The widespread expression of aromatase in a large population of neurons in the normal and damaged hippocampus suggests that local estrogen formation may play an important role in human hippocampal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josue G Yague
- Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Avenida Doctor Arce 37, E-28002 Madrid, Spain
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Saldanha CJ, Duncan KA, Walters BJ. Neuroprotective actions of brain aromatase. Front Neuroendocrinol 2009; 30:106-18. [PMID: 19450619 PMCID: PMC2700852 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2009.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2009] [Revised: 04/02/2009] [Accepted: 04/14/2009] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The steroidal regulation of vertebrate neuroanatomy and neurophysiology includes a seemingly unending list of brain areas, cellular structures and behaviors modulated by these hormones. Estrogens, in particular have emerged as potent neuromodulators, exerting a range of effects including neuroprotection and perhaps neural repair. In songbirds and mammals, the brain itself appears to be the site of injury-induced estrogen synthesis via the rapid transcription and translation of aromatase (estrogen synthase) in astroglia. This induction seems to occur regardless of the nature and location of primary brain damage. The induced expression of aromatase apparently elevates local estrogen levels enough to interfere with apoptotic pathways, thereby decreasing secondary degeneration and ultimately lessening the extent of damage. There is even evidence suggesting that aromatization may affect injury-induced cytogenesis. Thus, aromatization in the brain appears to confer neuroprotection by an array of mechanisms that involve the deceleration and acceleration of degeneration and repair, respectively. We are only beginning to understand the factors responsible for the injury-induced transcription of aromatase in astroglia. In contrast, much of the manner in which local and circulating estrogens may achieve their neuroprotective effects has been elucidated. However, gaps in our knowledge include issues about the cell-specific regulation of aromatase expression, steroidal influences of aromatization distinct from estrogen formation, and questions about the role of constitutive aromatase in neuroprotection. Here we describe the considerable consensus and some interesting differences in knowledge gained from studies conducted on diverse animal models, experimental paradigms and preparations towards understanding the neuroprotective actions of brain aromatase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin J Saldanha
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, United States.
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Paisán-Ruiz C, Washecka N, Nath P, Singleton AB, Corder EH. Parkinson's disease and low frequency alleles found together throughout LRRK2. Ann Hum Genet 2009; 73:391-403. [PMID: 19489756 PMCID: PMC5217459 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-1809.2009.00524.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Mutations within LRRK2, most notably p.G2019S, cause Parkinson's disease (PD) in rare monogenic families, and sporadic occurrences in diverse populations. We investigated variation throughout LRRK2 (84 SNPs; genotype or diplotype found for 49 LD blocks) for 275 cases (European ancestry, onset at age 60 or older) and 275 neurologically healthy control subjects (NINDS Neurogenetics Repository). Three grade-of-membership groups, i.e. genetic risk sets, were identified that exactly matched many subjects (cases: 46, 4, 137; controls: 0, 178, 0), and distinguished 94% of the subjects (i.e. >50% likeness to one set). Set I, affected, carried certain low frequency alleles located in multiple functional domains. Set II was unaffected. Set III, also affected, resembled set II except for slightly elevated frequencies of minor alleles not defining set I. We conclude that certain low frequency alleles distributed throughout LRRK2 are a genetic background to a third of cases, defining a distinct subset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coro Paisán-Ruiz
- Molecular Neuroscience Department and Reta Lila Weston Laboratories, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, England
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Rocca WA, Shuster LT, Grossardt BR, Maraganore DM, Gostout BS, Geda YE, Melton LJ. Long-term effects of bilateral oophorectomy on brain aging: unanswered questions from the Mayo Clinic Cohort Study of Oophorectomy and Aging. WOMEN'S HEALTH (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2009; 5:39-48. [PMID: 19102639 PMCID: PMC2716666 DOI: 10.2217/17455057.5.1.39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In the Mayo Clinic Cohort Study of Oophorectomy and Aging, women who had both ovaries removed before reaching natural menopause experienced a long-term increased risk of parkinsonism, cognitive impairment or dementia, and depressive and anxiety symptoms. Here, we discuss five possible mechanistic interpretations of the observed associations; first, the associations may be non-causal because they result from the confounding effect of genetic variants or of other risk factors; second, the associations may be mediated by an abrupt reduction in levels of circulating estrogen; third, the associations may be mediated by an abrupt reduction in levels of circulating progesterone or testosterone; fourth, the associations may be mediated by an increased release of gonadotropins by the pituitary gland; and fifth, genetic variants may modify the hormonal effects of bilateral oophorectomy through simple or more complex interactions. Results from other studies are cited as evidence for or against each possible mechanism. These putative causal mechanisms are probably intertwined, and their clarification is a research priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- W A Rocca
- Authors names & affiliations: Walter A. Rocca, Division of Epidemiology, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-3568, fax: (507) 284-1516, e-mail: ; Lynne T. Shuster, Department of Internal Medicine, Women’s Health Clinic, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 538-6830, fax: (507) 266-3988, e-mail: ; Brandon R. Grossardt, Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-5007, fax: (507) 284-9542, e-mail: ; Demetrius M. Maraganore, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-3219, fax: (507) 284-3665, e-mail: ; Bobbie S. Gostout, Division of Gynecologic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 266-8701, fax: (507) 266-9300, e-mail: ; Yonas E. Geda, Department of Psychiatry & Psychology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-3789, fax: (507) 284-4158, e-mail: ; L. Joseph Melton III, Division of Epidemiology, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-5545, fax: (507) 284-1516, e-mail:
| | - L T Shuster
- Authors names & affiliations: Walter A. Rocca, Division of Epidemiology, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-3568, fax: (507) 284-1516, e-mail: ; Lynne T. Shuster, Department of Internal Medicine, Women’s Health Clinic, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 538-6830, fax: (507) 266-3988, e-mail: ; Brandon R. Grossardt, Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-5007, fax: (507) 284-9542, e-mail: ; Demetrius M. Maraganore, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-3219, fax: (507) 284-3665, e-mail: ; Bobbie S. Gostout, Division of Gynecologic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 266-8701, fax: (507) 266-9300, e-mail: ; Yonas E. Geda, Department of Psychiatry & Psychology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-3789, fax: (507) 284-4158, e-mail: ; L. Joseph Melton III, Division of Epidemiology, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-5545, fax: (507) 284-1516, e-mail:
| | - B R Grossardt
- Authors names & affiliations: Walter A. Rocca, Division of Epidemiology, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-3568, fax: (507) 284-1516, e-mail: ; Lynne T. Shuster, Department of Internal Medicine, Women’s Health Clinic, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 538-6830, fax: (507) 266-3988, e-mail: ; Brandon R. Grossardt, Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-5007, fax: (507) 284-9542, e-mail: ; Demetrius M. Maraganore, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-3219, fax: (507) 284-3665, e-mail: ; Bobbie S. Gostout, Division of Gynecologic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 266-8701, fax: (507) 266-9300, e-mail: ; Yonas E. Geda, Department of Psychiatry & Psychology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-3789, fax: (507) 284-4158, e-mail: ; L. Joseph Melton III, Division of Epidemiology, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-5545, fax: (507) 284-1516, e-mail:
| | - D M Maraganore
- Authors names & affiliations: Walter A. Rocca, Division of Epidemiology, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-3568, fax: (507) 284-1516, e-mail: ; Lynne T. Shuster, Department of Internal Medicine, Women’s Health Clinic, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 538-6830, fax: (507) 266-3988, e-mail: ; Brandon R. Grossardt, Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-5007, fax: (507) 284-9542, e-mail: ; Demetrius M. Maraganore, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-3219, fax: (507) 284-3665, e-mail: ; Bobbie S. Gostout, Division of Gynecologic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 266-8701, fax: (507) 266-9300, e-mail: ; Yonas E. Geda, Department of Psychiatry & Psychology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-3789, fax: (507) 284-4158, e-mail: ; L. Joseph Melton III, Division of Epidemiology, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-5545, fax: (507) 284-1516, e-mail:
| | - B S Gostout
- Authors names & affiliations: Walter A. Rocca, Division of Epidemiology, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-3568, fax: (507) 284-1516, e-mail: ; Lynne T. Shuster, Department of Internal Medicine, Women’s Health Clinic, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 538-6830, fax: (507) 266-3988, e-mail: ; Brandon R. Grossardt, Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-5007, fax: (507) 284-9542, e-mail: ; Demetrius M. Maraganore, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-3219, fax: (507) 284-3665, e-mail: ; Bobbie S. Gostout, Division of Gynecologic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 266-8701, fax: (507) 266-9300, e-mail: ; Yonas E. Geda, Department of Psychiatry & Psychology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-3789, fax: (507) 284-4158, e-mail: ; L. Joseph Melton III, Division of Epidemiology, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-5545, fax: (507) 284-1516, e-mail:
| | - Y E Geda
- Authors names & affiliations: Walter A. Rocca, Division of Epidemiology, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-3568, fax: (507) 284-1516, e-mail: ; Lynne T. Shuster, Department of Internal Medicine, Women’s Health Clinic, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 538-6830, fax: (507) 266-3988, e-mail: ; Brandon R. Grossardt, Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-5007, fax: (507) 284-9542, e-mail: ; Demetrius M. Maraganore, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-3219, fax: (507) 284-3665, e-mail: ; Bobbie S. Gostout, Division of Gynecologic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 266-8701, fax: (507) 266-9300, e-mail: ; Yonas E. Geda, Department of Psychiatry & Psychology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-3789, fax: (507) 284-4158, e-mail: ; L. Joseph Melton III, Division of Epidemiology, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-5545, fax: (507) 284-1516, e-mail:
| | - L J Melton
- Authors names & affiliations: Walter A. Rocca, Division of Epidemiology, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-3568, fax: (507) 284-1516, e-mail: ; Lynne T. Shuster, Department of Internal Medicine, Women’s Health Clinic, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 538-6830, fax: (507) 266-3988, e-mail: ; Brandon R. Grossardt, Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-5007, fax: (507) 284-9542, e-mail: ; Demetrius M. Maraganore, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-3219, fax: (507) 284-3665, e-mail: ; Bobbie S. Gostout, Division of Gynecologic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 266-8701, fax: (507) 266-9300, e-mail: ; Yonas E. Geda, Department of Psychiatry & Psychology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-3789, fax: (507) 284-4158, e-mail: ; L. Joseph Melton III, Division of Epidemiology, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, USA. Telephone: (507) 284-5545, fax: (507) 284-1516, e-mail:
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Vegeto E, Benedusi V, Maggi A. Estrogen anti-inflammatory activity in brain: a therapeutic opportunity for menopause and neurodegenerative diseases. Front Neuroendocrinol 2008; 29:507-19. [PMID: 18522863 PMCID: PMC2630539 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2008.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 220] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2008] [Revised: 04/18/2008] [Accepted: 04/21/2008] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies highlight the prominent role played by estrogens in protecting the central nervous system (CNS) against the noxious consequences of a chronic inflammatory reaction. The neurodegenerative process of several CNS diseases, including Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases, is associated with the activation of microglia cells, which drive the resident inflammatory response. Chronically stimulated during neurodegeneration, microglia cells are thought to provide detrimental effects on surrounding neurons. The inhibitory activity of estrogens on neuroinflammation and specifically on microglia might thus be considered as a beneficial therapeutic opportunity for delaying the onset or progression of neurodegenerative diseases; in addition, understanding the peculiar activity of this female hormone on inflammatory signalling pathways will possibly lead to the development of selected anti-inflammatory molecules. This review summarises the evidence for the involvement of microglia in neuroinflammation and the anti-inflammatory activity played by estrogens specifically in microglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Vegeto
- Centre of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Milan via Balzaretti, 9 20133-Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Benedusi
- Centre of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Milan via Balzaretti, 9 20133-Milan, Italy
| | - Adriana Maggi
- Centre of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Milan via Balzaretti, 9 20133-Milan, Italy
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Abstract
Aromatase, the enzyme that synthesises oestrogens from androgen precursors, is expressed in the brain, where it has been classically associated with the regulation of neuroendocrine events and behaviours linked with reproduction. Recent findings, however, have revealed new unexpected roles for brain aromatase, indicating that the enzyme regulates synaptic activity, synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis and the response of neural tissue to injury, and may contribute to control nonreproductive behaviours, mood and cognition. Therefore, the function of brain aromatase is not restricted to the regulation of reproduction as previously thought.
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