Centre for Neuroendocrinology, Department of Physiology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2009 Dec;34 Suppl 1:S104-12. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2009.05.024.
Extensive studies during the past two decades provide compelling evidence that the gonadal steroid, estrogen, has the potential to affect the viability of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons. These observations reflect a unique ameliorative feature of estrogen as it restores and protects the cholinergic neurons against noxious stimuli or neurodegenerative processes. Hence, we first address the ameliorative function of estrogen on basal forebrain cholinergic neurons such as the actions of estrogen on neuronal plasticity of cholinergic neurons, estrogen-induced memory enhancement and the ameliorative role of estrogen on cholinergic neuron related neurodegenerative processes such as Alzheimer's disease. Second, we survey recent data as to possible mechanisms underlying the ameliorative actions of estrogen; influencing the amyloid precursor protein processing, enhancement in neurotrophin receptor signaling and estrogen-induced non-classical actions on second messenger systems. In addition, clinical relevance, pitfalls and future aspects of estrogen therapy on basal forebrain cholinergic neurons will be discussed.
在过去的二十年中，广泛的研究提供了令人信服的证据，表明性腺类固醇雌激素有可能影响基底前脑胆碱能神经元的存活。这些观察结果反映了雌激素的一个独特的改善特征，因为它恢复和保护胆碱能神经元免受有害刺激或神经退行性过程的影响。因此，我们首先讨论雌激素对基底前脑胆碱能神经元的改善作用，如雌激素对胆碱能神经元的可塑性的作用、雌激素诱导的记忆增强以及雌激素对与胆碱能神经元相关的神经退行性过程（如阿尔茨海默病）的改善作用。其次，我们调查了最近的数据，了解雌激素改善作用的可能机制；影响淀粉样前体蛋白的处理、神经营养因子受体信号的增强以及雌激素对第二信使系统的非经典作用。此外，还将讨论雌激素对基底前脑胆碱能神经元治疗的临床相关性、陷阱和未来方面。
