Approximately two-thirds of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease are female, though the precise reasons behind this disparity remain a subject of ongoing debate. A recent study conducted by American researchers suggests that a significant factor involves the decline in estrogen levels post-menopause and alterations within the brain structures responsible for neuronal support. The findings of this investigation have been published in the journal Aging Cell.
A team of experts from Northwestern University examined genetically engineered mice that exhibited impaired estrogen production, either exclusively in their brains or throughout their entire bodies.
It was discovered that in female mice, a deficiency in this hormone triggers noticeable behavioral changes. Older animals displayed difficulties with spatial memory and a reduction in social engagement. Both younger and older female mice with low estrogen levels showed signs of depression. In contrast, no such effects were observed in the male mice.
The authors of the study emphasize that their work serves as validation of the crucial role estrogen plays in maintaining the healthy functioning of the female brain. The scientists paid particular attention to the extracellular matrix, which is a network of molecules filling the spaces between brain cells. This matrix is involved in memory formation, tissue regeneration, and the upkeep of optimal nervous system function. The research demonstrated that when estrogen is deficient, genes associated with the extracellular matrix exhibit the most significant changes in their activity.
The researchers concluded that the extracellular matrix could potentially serve as a target for developing future medications to combat Alzheimer’s disease.
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