Elsevier

Brain Research

Volume 761, Issue 2, 4 July 1997, Pages 338-341
Brain Research

Short communication
17β-Estradiol protects against NMDA-induced excitotoxicity by direct inhibition of NMDA receptors

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-8993(97)00449-6Get rights and content
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Abstract

Several lines of evidence suggest that 17β-estradiol (βE2) has neuroprotective properties. The risk and severity of dementia are decreased in women who have received estrogen therapy, and βE2 protects neurons in vitro against death from a variety of stressors. Neuroprotection by βE2 has been suggested to be due to free radical scavenging. We demonstrate an additional neuroprotective mechanism whereby βE2 protects against NMDA-induced neuronal death by directly inhibiting the NMDA receptor.

Keywords

NMDA
Glutamate receptor
Steroid
Estradiol
Excitatoxicity
Calcium
Neuroprotection

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