17β-estradiol activation of dorsal hippocampal TrkB is independent of increased mature BDNF expression and is required for enhanced memory consolidation in female mice.

The potent estrogen 17β-estradiol (E) is known to enhance hippocampal memory and plasticity, however the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects remain unclear. Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) are regulated by E, but the potential mechanistic roles of neurotrophic signaling in E-induced enhancement of memory are not well understood. Here, we examined the effects of hippocampal TrkB signaling on E-induced enhancement of memory consolidation in the object placement and recognition tasks.