Brain & Cognition

cognitive & neurological health

Ovarian hormones are essential to cognitive brain structures and functions

Work with this clinic includes, though is not limited to, many of the cognitive and neurological effects of hormones. Female brain function, brain volume and brain signaling are all influenced by the presence of estrogen and progesterone, and this fact has yet to be incorporated into women's healthcare. According to Dr. Adreniene Beltz and Dr. Jason Moser "Cognitive neuroscience has traditionally overlooked half of the population," which has lead to "a knowledge gap in the role of ovarian hormones in neuroscience."

Impacts of (peri)menopause on a woman's brain

A preponderance of mid-life hormonal changes drastically impact the dynamic mantle of a woman's neurological integrity. This occurs regardless of a woman's race, ethnicity or nationality. Some women are more phenotypically predisposed to experience notable effects.

Estrogen modulates membrane signaling and neurotransmission in women

Extensive estrogen receptor mapping work in translational neurobiology has provided a working model of estrogen-dependent neurophysiological functions in women.

Estrogen's influence on specific brain regions & functions

pre-frontal cortex (executive functions, learning);
amygdala (emotional interpretation, motivation);
hippocampus (short-term memory);
hypothalamus (circadian rhythm, sleep, temperature regulation, appetite control);
thalamus (sensory input interpretation);
raphe nucleus (mood, serotonergic system),
posterior cingulate (default mode network);
adrenergic system (attention, arousal & anxiety).

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Brain Benefits

Estrogen is Essential for Brain Function

Exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects
Protects against brain atrophy, particularly in women with homozygous ApoE 4 gene
Aides clearance of beta amyloid plaque
Decreases tau phosphorylation associated with Alzheimer's disease
Increases dendritic spine density of neurons
Promotes synaptogenesis, the creation of new synapses between neurons
Promotes brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
Modulates neurochemicals and neurotransmitters systems including serotonin, dopamine & acetylcholine
Improves neural glucose uptake and metabolism
Buffers against depleting effects of stress hormones, and reduces glucocorticoid elevations
Improves regional brain activation

Integrative & Functional Medicine