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Cited by 457Estrogen and related hormone effectsMenopause: Health Impacts and TreatmentsMemory and Neural Mechanisms

Estradiol and cognitive function: Past, present and future

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Luine, Victoria N.·2014·Hormones and Behavior
DOI 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.08.011PMC PMC4318702
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Abstract

A historical perspective on estradiol's enhancement of cognitive function is presented, and research, primarily in animals, but also in humans, is reviewed. Data regarding the mechanisms underlying the enhancements are discussed. Newer studies showing rapid effects of estradiol on consolidation of memory through membrane interactions and activation of inter-cellular signaling pathways are reviewed as well as studies focused on traditional genomic mechanisms. Recent demonstrations of intra-neuronal estradiol synthesis and possible actions as a neurosteroid to promote memory are discussed. This information is applied to the critical issue of the current lack of effective hormonal (or other) treatments for cognitive decline associated with menopause and aging. Finally, the critical period hypothesis for estradiol effects is discussed along with novel strategies for hormone/drug development. Overall, the historical record documents that estradiol positively impacts some aspects of cognitive function, but effective therapeutic interventions using this hormone have yet to be realized.

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Luine, V. N.
Affiliations
City University of New York (US)
Corresponding author
Luine, Victoria N.
Venue
Hormones and Behavior
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2014-09
Volume
66
Issue
4
Pages
602-618
ISSN
0018-506X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.08.011
PMC
PMC4318702
OpenAlex
W2051026082
Cited by
457
References
4
Citations by year
2026: 21 · 2025: 38 · 2024: 35 · 2023: 41 · 2022: 38 · 2021: 45 · 2020: 50 · 2019: 44 · 2018: 45 · 2017: 29 · 2016: 29 · 2015: 40 · 2014: 1
FWCI
4.37
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Hormones and Behavior (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • City University of New York
  • National Institutes of Health (RR03037, GM60665, GM60654)
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences (GM60654, GM 60665, S06GM060654, R25GM060665)
  • National Center for Research Resources (RR-03037, G12RR003037)
  • National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (G12MD007599)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Estrogen and related hormone effects
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Menopause: Health Impacts and Treatments
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
Keywords
estradiol, cognitive function, memory consolidation, membrane estrogen receptor, genomic estrogen signaling, neurosteroids, menopause, cognitive decline, aging, critical period hypothesis, hormone therapy, estrogen signaling pathway
MeSH terms
Aging, Animals, Cognition, Cognition Disorders, Estradiol, Female, Humans, Memory, Menopause, Estrogen Replacement Therapy

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