Estrogens and the cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia: Possible neuroprotective mechanisms

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a complex neuropsychiatric illness with marked sex differences. Women have later onset and lesser symptoms, which has led to the hypothesis that estrogens are protective in schizophrenia. Cognitive dysfunction is a hallmark of the disease and the symptom most correlated with functional outcome. Here we describe a number of mechanisms by which estrogens may be therapeutic in schizophrenia, with a focus on cognitive symptoms. We review the relationship between estrogens and brain derived neurotrophic factor, neuroinflammation, NMDA receptors, GABA receptors, and luteinizing hormone. Exploring these pathways may enable novel treatments for schizophrenia and a greater understanding of this devastating disease.

Publisher

Elsevier

Publication Date

10-1-2017

Publication Title

Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology

Department

Neuroscience

Document Type

Article

DOI

10.1016/j.yfrne.2017.06.003

Keywords

Schizophrenia, Estrogen, Cognitive deficits, Neuroprotection, NMDA receptor hypofunction, GABA, Neuroinflammation, Luteinizing hormone, BDNF

Language

English

Format

text

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