Hormones and the aging brain

Stanley J. Birge

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

There is a growing appreciation of the role of ovarian hormones as modulators of neuronal function within the central nervous system. Ovarian failure has long been known to result in reversible changes in mental function, affect, and behavior. Only recently have we begun to appreciate the potential role of these hormones, specifically estrogen, in the aging of the brain and in the expression of Alzheimer's disease. As a consequence of the estrogen deficiency state of the postmenopausal woman, brain aging may be accelerated, resulting in the greater incidence of injurious falls and accidental injuries in women than in men of the same age. This sex steroid deficiency in postmenopausal women may also account for the earlier expression of Alzheimer's disease in women.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)S28-S30
JournalGeriatrics
Volume53
Issue number1 SUPPL.
StatePublished - Dec 1 1998

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