Estrogen-BDNF interactions: implications for neurodegenerative diseases.
Farida Sohrabji1, Danielle K Lewis
1Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, TAMU Health Science Center, College Station, TX 77843-1114, USA. f-sohrabji@tamu.edu
Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology
|October 31, 2006
Summary
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and estrogen are crucial for neuronal health. Their reduced levels are linked to Parkinson
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurobiology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is vital for neuronal survival, regeneration, and neural-immune regulation.
- Estrogen influences the brain and its neurodegenerative disease roles often overlap with BDNF.
- Both estrogen and BDNF are reduced in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, while high estrogen is a risk factor for multiple sclerosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the distribution of BDNF and its receptor trkB in the forebrain.
- To examine the roles of estrogen and the BDNF-trkB system in Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and multiple sclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on BDNF, estrogen receptors, and neurotrophin systems.
- Analysis of studies investigating BDNF and estrogen in neurodegenerative diseases.
Main Results:
- Estrogen receptors colocalize with BDNF and trkB expressing cells.
- Estrogen modulates the expression of the BDNF-trkB neurotrophin system.
- The interplay between estrogen and BDNF is implicated in Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and multiple sclerosis.
Conclusions:
- Estrogen and the BDNF-trkB system are interconnected and play significant roles in brain function.
- Dysregulation of this system contributes to the pathophysiology of major neurodegenerative diseases.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:37Neural Regulation
Digestion begins with a cephalic phase that prepares the digestive system to receive food. When our brain processes visual or olfactory information about food, it triggers impulses in the cranial nerves innervating the salivary glands and stomach to prepare for food.
01:31Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters are essential chemical messengers within the nervous system, facilitating the communication between neurons. These chemical messengers, varying in function and effect, are critical for sustaining various aspects of neurological health and emotional well-being.
01:00Enzyme-linked Receptors
Enzyme-linked receptors are proteins that act as both receptor and enzyme, activating multiple intracellular signals. This is a large group of receptors that include the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family. Many growth factors and hormones bind to and activate the RTKs.
Neurotrophin (NT) receptors are a family of RTKs, including trkA, trkB, and trkC (tropomyosin-related kinase) receptors. TrkA is specific for nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-6, and neurotrophin-7. TrkB binds...
Neurotrophin (NT) receptors are a family of RTKs, including trkA, trkB, and trkC (tropomyosin-related kinase) receptors. TrkA is specific for nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-6, and neurotrophin-7. TrkB binds...
01:29Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Synthesis
Drugs affecting neurotransmitter synthesis can impact the adrenergic neuron and the synthesis of neurotransmitters. For example, α-methyltyrosine and carbidopa target specific enzymes involved in catecholamine synthesis. α-methyltyrosine inhibits the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase, which converts tyrosine into dopamine. By blocking this enzyme, α-methyltyrosine reduces dopamine production and other catecholamines. Carbidopa, on the other hand, inhibits the enzyme dopa decarboxylase, which converts...
01:23Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Alzheimer disease involves structural changes in the brain that begin long before symptoms appear. The most distinctive features are extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.Neuritic plaques form in the cerebral cortex and around blood vessels. These plaques contain a dense core of beta-amyloid (Aβ)—a toxic protein fragment that clumps outside neurons. The core is surrounded by damaged neuronal extensions, as well as reactive astrocytes and microglia. Abnormal...