Presents a study which examined the ability of the female sex
hormone estrogen to improve cognition among women. Role of estrogen in
the breakdown of acetylcholine, a brain chemical vital to memory;
Significance of the study to Alzheimer's patients who suffer
acetylcholine shortages and nerve cell degeneration; Results of the
study.
By
Marguerite Lamb, published on March 01, 2001
MEMORY
BRAIN EXPERTS KNOW THAT THE FEMALE SEX HORMONE ESTROGEN IMPROVES
MEMORY--BUT HOW IT WORKS IS ANOTHER MATTER.
Now, a recent study conducted at Johns Hopkins University (JHU)
brings researchers one step closer to understanding estrogen's ability to
bolster cognition.
A team led by Vassilis Koliatsos, M.D., a JHU neuropathology
professor, compared normal rats with those that had their ovaries removed
to mimic menopause and with rats given estrogen. The animals with the
highest hormone levels also had the most acetylcholine, a brain chemical
vital to memory. Added estrogen also upped the signaling capacity of
nerve cells in the hippocampus, the brain's memory region.
These findings, presented at the 2000 Society for Neurosciences
annual meeting, hold promise for Alzheimer's patients, who suffer
acetylcholine shortages and nerve cell degeneration. Current drugs
inhibit the breakdown of acetylcholine, but don't boost its production or
transmission. Estrogen may do both, says Koliatsos, making it a powerful
adjunct to existing treatments.
While estrogen isn't a viable option for men, the male hormone
testosterone may be. "Testosterone converts to estrogen in the brain"
says Koliatsos, noting that related studies are under way.
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