Estrogenic Steroids: Neurotrophic Action and Mechanism
Roberta Diaz Brinton, Ph.D. Director
Theodore W. Berger, Ph.D. Co-director

This project addresses a possible role for estrogenic steroids in promoting growth and survival of neurons derived from brain regions involved in cognitive function.

Specific Studies

  1. Cultured neurons derived from the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of rat will be used to study neurotrophic activity of estrogenic steroid components of Premarin. Possible mechanisms for any observed neurotrophic activity will be examined to determine whether estrogenic steroid-induced neurotrophism is dependent upon activation of estrogen nuclear receptors or upon activation of a plasma membrane site of action (glutamatergic receptor channels).
  2. Cultured neurons from cerebral cortex and hippocampus of rat will be used to determine whether any estrogenic steroid components of Premarin promote survival of neurons. Mechanisms of enhanced survival will be analyzed by investigating the ability of estrogenic steroid treated neurons to survive an oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide or ß-amyloid protein.
  3. Slice preparations will be used to determine the specific receptor subtypes and the intrinsic membrane currents activated in neurons that exhibit a response to neurotrophic estrogenic steroids, as well as to determine whether the estrogenic steroids differ in their efficacy and potency in promoting neuronal outgrowth and survival.

Theodore W. Berger, Ph.D. (PI)
berger@bmsrs.usc.edu

Roberta Diaz. Brinton, Ph.D. (PI)
rbrinton@hsc.usc.edu

Jon Nilsen, Ph.D.

Shuhua Chen, Ph.D.

Kathleen O’Neil – MPTX graduate student

Tsu-wei Wu – Neuroscience graduate student

Lixia Zhao – MPTX graduate student

Michael Kim – Neuroscience graduate student

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Publications

 

  1. Brinton RD, Chen S, Montoya M, Hsieh D, Minaya J.  The estrogen replacement therapy of the Women’s Health Initiative promotes the cellular mechanisms of memory and neuronal survival in neurons vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease.  Maturitas 34, S35-52, 2000.

 

  1. Brinton RD, Chen S, Konjugierte Ostrogene:  Werden integritat und funcion neuronaler zellen erhalten?,  J fur Menopause 7:16-24, 2000.

 

  1. Brinton RD, and Chu HP.  Effects neuroprotecteurs des composé estrogéiques des ece, Reproduction Humaine et Hormones 4:1-11, 2000

 

  1. Brinton RD, Chen S, Montoya M, Hsieh D, Minaya J, Kim J, Chu H-P.  The Women’s Health Initiative Estrogen Replacement Therapy is Neurotrophic and Neuroprotective,   Neurobiology Aging 21:475-96, 2000.   (PDF file)

 

  1. Brinton RD Chen S, Minaya J, Oji G, Kim J, Sirinkingkaew A.  Impact of the Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator Raloxfene, On Neuronal Outgrowth and Survival Following Toxic Insults Associated with Aging and Alzheimer Disease, Exp Neurol, submitted.

 

  1. Nilsen J, Brinton RD, Impact of progestins on estradiol-potentiation of the glutamate calcium response NeuroReport, in press

 

  1. Nilsen J, Chen S, Brinton RD.  Dual action of estrogen on glutamate-induced calcium signaling: mechanisms requiring the interaction between estrogen receptors and src/ mitogen activated protein kinase pathway, Brain Res Interactive  930:216-034   (PDF file)
 

 

Estrogen Main | Project 1  | Project 3  | Project 4  | Project 5  | Publications