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Updated: Feb 16, 2026

Dual Somatic Recordings from Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone GnRH Neurons Identified by Green Fluorescent Protein GFP in Hypothalamic Slices
Published on: February 23, 2010
The dual face of human chorionic gonadotropin in the CNS: neuroprotection, signaling, and possible pathological
Seyedehmaryam Hosseini1, Pedram Ghanavati2, Tayebeh Esfidani3
1Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Background:
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone critical for reproduction, particularly in pregnancy maintenance and fertility treatments. Beyond reproduction, hCG may influence immune regulation, cancer biology, and neurological processes.
Objective:
This review critically examines the current evidence regarding the potential neurological effects of hCG, synthesizing findings from experimental and clinical studies to assess its proposed roles in neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and blood-brain barrier modulation.
Result:
Dysregulated hCG levels-arising from pregnancy complications, assisted reproductive technologies (ART), or hCG-secreting tumors-have been associated with markers of neurotoxicity, including neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and altered blood-brain barrier integrity. Evidence remains largely associative, and causal mechanisms linking hCG to neurobiological vulnerability are not yet established. Proposed pathways include modulation of immune cell activity, neurotransmitter signaling, and endothelial function.
Conclusion:
hCG exhibits a dual nature: essential for reproduction and immune adaptation, yet potentially neurotoxic under dysregulated conditions. This review synthesizes mechanistic hypotheses, highlights knowledge gaps, and underscores the need for rigorous longitudinal and experimental studies to clarify hCG's impact on the nervous system.
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