Several investigators have suggested that gender differences in vulnerability to development of the mood disorders of depression and anxiety are linked to fluctuating gonadal hormone levels that occur during the female reproductive cycle, the onset of puberty and/or menopause. Other investigators have suggested an association between brain serotonin (5-HT) and the pathogenesis of depression. It is, therefore, possible that hormonal modulation of the serotonergic system contributes to the female's vulnerability to depression and anxiety. Although there is evidence that 5-HT levels, turnover, and function are modulated by estrogen and progesterone, mechanistic explanations for the modulation have not been forthcoming. In early studies, an estrogen-induced modulation of serotonin receptors was implicated, but these studies were completed prior to the recognition of the many receptor subtypes on which 5-HT acts. Few neurochemical/molecular studies have been designed to examine the effects of estrogen on select serotonin receptor subtypes and their interactions. However, results of behavioral studies have led to the suggestion that estrogen may modulate serotonin by altering the functional balance among the different receptor subtypes. The present project is designed to test the hypothesis that estrogen alters the balance between select serotonin receptor subtypes and thereby alters behavioral events that are modulated by the 5-HT system.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32HD008413-02
Application #
2888802
Study Section
Psychobiology, Behavior, and Neuroscience Review Committee (PBN)
Program Officer
Yoshinaga, Koji
Project Start
1999-08-01
Project End
Budget Start
1999-08-01
Budget End
2000-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Texas Woman's University
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
068979848
City
Denton
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
76201
Sinclair-Worley, L; Uphouse, L (2004) Effect of estrogen on the lordosis-inhibiting action of ketanserin and SB 206553. Behav Brain Res 152:129-35