Estrogen plays fundamental roles in nervous system development and function. Traditional studies examining the effect of estrogen in the brain have focused on the nuclear estrogen receptors (ERs), ERα and ERβ. Studies related to the extranuclear, membrane-bound G-protein-coupled ER (GPER/GPR30) have revealed a neuroprotective role for GPER in mature neurons.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNumerous studies have reported neuroprotective and procognitive effects of estrogens. The estrogen 17β-estradiol (E2) activates both the classical nuclear estrogen receptors ERα and ERβ as well as the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER). The differential effects of targeting the classical estrogen receptors over GPER are not well-understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA recurrent mutation in the transcriptional corepressor is associated with neurodevelopmental disabilities in children (Beck et al., 2016, 2019; Sommerville et al., 2017).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBrain functions rely critically upon the proper development of neuronal processes (axons and dendrites) and the formation of functional networks. Any genetic factors or environmental compounds that alter the morphological features of neurons may render the nervous system dysfunctional and result in neuronal disorders. cell culture is an important technique in assessing the effect of chemicals on neurite formation and growth of individual neurons in desired brain regions and has been fundamental in advancing our understanding of the nervous system development and functioning.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The objective of this work was to test the synergistic effects of substrate stiffness, electro-conductivity, composition and electrical stimulation on the morphology, alignment and directional neurite outgrowth of neuron-like PC12 cells. The use of exogenous electrical stimulation has emerged as a promising new intervention to promote neural regeneration following injury. For critical gap size nerve injuries, a permissive biomaterial coupled to electrical stimulation may be needed to provide guidance and support for neurite outgrowth.
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