Shaping of the Female Human Brain by Sex Hormones: A Review.

Neuroendocrinology
Elisa RehbeinBirgit Derntl

Abstract

Traditionally sex hormones have been associated with reproductive and developmental processes only. Since the 1950s we know that hormones can have organizational effects on the developing brain and initiate hormonal transition periods such as puberty. However, recent evidence shows that sex hormones additionally structure the brain during important hormonal transition periods across a woman's life including short-term fluctuations during the menstrual cycle. However, a comprehensive review focusing on structural changes during all hormonal transition phases of women is still missing. Therefore, in this review structural changes across hormonal transition periods (i.e., puberty, menstrual cycle, oral contraceptive intake, pregnancy and menopause) were investigated in a structured way and correlations with sex hormones evaluated. Results show an overall reduction in grey matter and region-specific decreases in prefrontal, parietal and middle temporal areas during puberty. Across the menstrual cycle grey matter plasticity in the hippocampus, the amygdala as well as temporal and parietal regions were most consistently reported. Studies reporting on pre- and post-pregnancy measurements revealed volume reductions in midline structure...Continue Reading

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Citations

Sep 28, 2020·Clinical Drug Investigation·Franca Fruzzetti, Tiziana Fidecicchi
Nov 12, 2020·Endocrinology·Lydie NauléUrsula B Kaiser
Oct 26, 2020·Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology·Manon DubolErika Comasco
Jan 30, 2021·Endocrinology·Lydie NauléUrsula B Kaiser
Jul 31, 2020·Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology·Inger Sundström-PoromaaEileen Luders
Mar 26, 2021·Frontiers in Neuroscience·Ann-Christin Sophie KimmigBirgit Derntl
Jul 3, 2021·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Monika Zaręba-KoziołJakub Włodarczyk

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