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Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1871-5249
ISSN (Online): 1875-6166

Sex Hormones and Brain Dopamine Functions

Author(s): Ramon Sotomayor-Zarate, Gonzalo Cruz, Georgina M. Renard, Pedro Espinosa and Victor D. Ramirez

Volume 14, Issue 2, 2014

Page: [62 - 71] Pages: 10

DOI: 10.2174/1871524914666141226105137

Price: $65

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Abstract

Sex hormones exert differential effects on a variety of sensitive tissues like the reproductive tract, gonads, liver, bone and adipose tissue, among others. In the brain, sex hormones act as neuroactive steroids regulating the function of neuroendocrine diencephalic structures like the hypothalamus. In addition, steroids can exert physiological effects upon cortical, limbic and midbrain structures, influencing different behaviors such as memory, learning, mood and reward. In the last three decades, the role of sex hormones on monoamine neurotransmitters in extra-hypothalamic areas related to motivated behaviors, learning and locomotion has been the focus of much research. The purpose of this thematic issue is to present the state of art concerning the effects of sex hormones on the neurochemical regulation of dopaminergic midbrain areas involved in neurobiological and pathological processes, such as addiction to drugs of abuse. We also discuss evidence of how neonatal exposure to sex hormones or endocrine disrupting chemicals can produce long-term changes on the neurochemical regulation of dopaminergic neurons in the limbic and midbrain areas.

Keywords: Dopamine, dopamine transporter, estradiol, neurochemistry, progesterone, reward, testosterone, tyrosine hydroxylase.

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