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The brain: a vulnerable target

L Martini1, R C Melcangi

  • 1Department of Endocrinology, University of Milano, Italy. endo@isfunix.farma.unimi.it

Experimental Gerontology
|July 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Brain cells metabolize sex steroids, influencing brain functions and neurotransmitter systems. Glial-neuronal interactions control hormone secretion, offering potential targets for aging interventions and stem cell therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Cellular Neuroscience

Background:

  • Emerging evidence suggests steroids and growth factors impact brain functions.
  • Brain cells possess the capacity to metabolize sex steroids.
  • Interactions between various brain cell types, including neurons and astrocytes, are increasingly recognized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe endocrine-related brain functions.
  • To elucidate the role of sex steroids and growth factors in brain activity.
  • To explore glial-neuronal interactions in neuroendocrine regulation.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on brain steroid metabolism and cell signaling.
  • Analysis of data demonstrating brain enzyme conversion of sex steroids.
  • Investigation of glial-neuronal communication in hypothalamic hormone secretion control.

Main Results:

  • Brain enzymes convert sex steroids into compounds that bind to the GABAa receptor.
  • Glial-neuronal interactions, alongside neuronal-neuronal communication, regulate hypothalamic hormone secretion.
  • Numerous potential targets for intervention during the aging process have been identified.

Conclusions:

  • Brain steroid metabolism links endocrine function to neurotransmitter systems.
  • Glial-neuronal communication is crucial for neuroendocrine control.
  • Growth factor manipulation offers potential for rescuing stem cells in the adult central nervous system (CNS), opening new therapeutic avenues.

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