Estrogen plays a crucial role in coordinating the neuroendocrine events that control sexual development, sexual behavior and reproduction. Additionally, estrogen modulates numerous additional facets of brain function. In humans, the primary biologically active form of estrogen is 172-estradiol (E2). E2 has been implicated in several non-reproductive brain functions such as protection against brain injury, involvement in learning and memory as well as promoting the formation of synapses. Additionally, a growing body of literature has shown that E2 treatment may alleviate neuronal dysfunctions from Alzheimer

Public Health Relevance

These studies will begin to determine the novel mechanisms of changes in gene expression caused by age on a critical gene in the female brain. These insights could lead to development of therapeutics that result in improved cognition in the postmenopausal woman by potentially preventing changes in ER2 gene expression. Furthermore, we will develop a new methodology that will be critical for examining epigenetic changes in gene expression in a temporal and spatial manner in neural tissue with heterogeneous cell populations.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
5R03AG038909-02
Application #
8245698
Study Section
Molecular Neurogenetics Study Section (MNG)
Program Officer
Wise, Bradley C
Project Start
2011-04-01
Project End
2013-03-31
Budget Start
2012-04-01
Budget End
2013-03-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$60,885
Indirect Cost
$19,885
Name
University of Kentucky
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
939017877
City
Lexington
State
KY
Country
United States
Zip Code
40506
Wilson, Melinda E (2013) Stroke: understanding the differences between males and females. Pflugers Arch 465:595-600
Wilson, Melinda E; Sengoku, Tomoko (2013) Developmental regulation of neuronal genes by DNA methylation: environmental influences. Int J Dev Neurosci 31:448-51
Westberry, Jenne M; Trout, Amanda L; Wilson, Melinda E (2011) Epigenetic regulation of estrogen receptor beta expression in the rat cortex during aging. Neuroreport 22:428-32