The role of progesterone in memory: An overview of three decades

Author(s)

Barros, L. A. ^[1] ; Tufik, S. ^[1] ; Andersen, M. L. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Psicobiol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS; v. 49, p. 193-204, FEB 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 25

Abstract

Memory comprises acquisition, consolidation and retrieval of information. Many substances can influence these different phases. It is well demonstrated that sex hormones, mainly estrogen, impact cognitive function. More recently, progesterone has also been documented as playing an important role in cognition, since it influences brain regions involved in memory. Currently, many women are under hormone treatment, which contain progesterone to decrease the risk of development of endometrial cancer. This affords the opportunity to study the real effects of this hormonal replacement on cognition. There are many contradictory results regarding the role of progesterone in memory. Therefore, the aim of this review was to synthesize these studies using the new perspective of the influence of hormone replacement on cognition in women. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/14422-4 - Analysis of the influence of sleep on protein kinase m zeta expression and on rats memory
• Grantee: Luísa Mendes Amando de Barros
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master