Estrogens and gonadal function in schizophrenia and related psychoses

Anita Riecher-Rossler, Jayashri Kulkarni

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (Book)Researchpeer-review

68 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Recent research has increasingly pointed to the importance of estrogens and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in schizophrenia. Specifically, there is mounting evidence from clinical, epidemiological, and basic research that estradiol, the main component of estrogens, exerts protective effects in schizophrenia and related psychoses. Possible modes of action of this hormone in the brain have been suggested, and clinical intervention studies have reported the first positive results. Furthermore, there are an increasing number of reports on gonadal dysfunction and states of estrogen deficiency in women with schizophrenia. These findings could have important implications for clinicians and researchers alike. ? Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2011.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBiological Basis of Sex Differences in Psychopharmacology
EditorsJo C. Neill, Jayashri Kulkarni
Place of PublicationGermany
PublisherSpringer
Pages155-171
Number of pages17
ISBN (Electronic)9783642200069
ISBN (Print)9783642200052
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011

Publication series

NameCurrent Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences
PublisherSpringer
Volume8
ISSN (Print)1866-3370
ISSN (Electronic)1866-3389

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