Neuronal and Cognitive Effects of Oestrogens

Although normally thought of as a sex hormone, recent research has highlighted the numerous and significant effects that oestrogen has on the CNS, extending far beyond its important reproductive role. It has been shown that oestrogen acts as a neural growth factor with important influences on the survival, plasticity, regeneration and ageing of the mammalian brain. This exciting book brings together leading clinicians and researchers to discuss oestrogen's basic mechanisms of action, the extrahypothalmic brain regions it affects, and its influence on cognitive functions in animals and humans. Finally, recent research on the role of oestrogens in ageing and dementia, including the significance of oestrogen action in Alzheimer's disease, is discussed. The 15 papers contained in this book, together with the extensive discussion sessions that follow them, reveal much new and exciting work in this area, and identify promising new research directions.

Although normally thought of as a sex hormone, recent research hashighlighted the numerous and significant effects that oestrogen hason the CNS, extending far beyond its important reproductive role.It has been shown that oestrogen acts as a neural growth factorwith important influences on the survival, plasticity, regenerationand ageing of the mammalian brain.This exciting book brings together leading clinicians andresearchers to discuss oestrogen's basic mechanisms of action, theextrahypothalmic brain regions it affects, and its influence oncognitive functions in animals and humans. Finally, recent researchon the role of oestrogens in ageing and dementia, including thesignificance of oestrogen action in Alzheimer's disease, isdiscussed. The 15 papers contained in this book, together with theextensive discussion sessions that follow them, reveal much new andexciting work in this area, and identify promising new researchdirections.

Chairman's Introduction (B. McEwen).Mechanism of Oestrogen Signalling with Particular Reference tothe Role of ERß in the Central Nervous System (E. Treuteret al.).Oestrogen Receptor Function at Classical and AlternativeResponse Elements (P. Kushner, et al.).GENERAL DISCUSSION I.Nuclear Receptor Versus Plasma Membrane Oestrogen Receptor (E.Levin).Novel Sites and Mechanisms of Oestrogen Action in the Brain (C.Toran-Allerand).Oestrogen Modulation of Noradrenaline Neurotransmission (A.Herbison, et al.).Oestrogen and the Cholinergic Hypothesis: Implications forOestrogen Replacement Therapy in Postmenopausal Women (R.Gibbs).Ovarian Steroid Action in the Serotonin Neural System ofMacaques (C. Bethea, et al.).Oestrogen Effects on Dopaminergic Function in Striatum (J.Becker).GENERAL DISCUSSION II.Oestrogen Effects in Olivo-Cerebellar and Hippocampal Circuits(S. Smith, et al.).Effects of Oestradiol on Hippocampal Circuitry (C. Woolley).Oestrogen and Cognitive Function Throughout the Female Lifespan(B. Sherwin).Neuroprotective Effects of Phenolic A Ring Oestrogens (P. Greenet al.).The Female Sex Hormone Oestrogen as Neuroprotectant: Activitiesat Various Levels (C. Behl, et al.).Neurohormonal Signalling Pathways and the Regulation ofAlzheimer ß-Amyloid Metabolism (S. Gandy & S.Petanceska).Oestrogens and Dementia (V. Henderson).Indexes.