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Estrogens and Gonadal Function in Schizophrenia and Related Psychoses

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Biological Basis of Sex Differences in Psychopharmacology

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences ((CTBN,volume 8))

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.

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Abbreviations

ESR1:

Endogen receptor-α

HERS:

Heart and Estrogen/Progestin Replacement Study

HRT:

Hormone replacement therapy

PANSS:

Positive and negative syndrome scale

RNA:

Ribonucleic acid

WHI:

Women’s Health Initiative Study

WHI-M:

Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychiatric University Clinic Basel, University Psychiatric Outpatient Department, c/o University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, Basel, 4031, Switzerland

    Anita Riecher-Rössler

  2. Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, The Alfred Hospital and School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Commercial Road, Melbourne, 3004, Australia

    Jayashri Kulkarni

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  1. Anita Riecher-Rössler
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Bradford School of Pharmacy, University Bradford, Bradford, W.Yorkshire, BD7 1DP, United Kingdom

    Jo C. Neill

  2. Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Commercial Rd., Melbourne, 3004, Australia

    Jayashri Kulkarni

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Riecher-Rössler, A., Kulkarni, J. (2010). Estrogens and Gonadal Function in Schizophrenia and Related Psychoses. In: Neill, J., Kulkarni, J. (eds) Biological Basis of Sex Differences in Psychopharmacology. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, vol 8. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/7854_2010_100

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