Role of estrogen in postmenopausal depression.

Estrogen has been reported to improve the cognitive functioning of postmenopausal women. It is suggested that estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) might be beneficial for improvement of mood and cognition in menopausal women. We have shown that this improvement is selective and is probably more apparent in complex integrative functions. We have also shown that estrogen can augment serotonergic activity as well as some norepinephrine-related processes in postmenopausal women. Because of its effects on mood-related neurotransmitter processes, ERT might decrease vulnerability to depression and be effective as an adjunct therapy to prevent treatment nonresponse to conventional antidepressants.