Cognitive Functions, Concentration of Endogenous Estradiol, Estrogen Receptor α (ERα) Polymorphism in Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

BackgroundThe goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between cognitive functions and the level of endogenous estradiol in postmenopausal women, according to which estrogen receptor α (ERα) polymorphism the woman carries.Material/MethodsThe study group consisted of 210 women. The inclusion criteria were: minimum 2 years after the last menstruation, FSH concentration 30 U/ml, and no dementia signs on Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). A computerized battery of Central Nervous System Vital Signs (CNS VS) test was used to diagnose cognitive functions. Genotyping of the ERα polymorphism was performed using a polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzymes (PCR-RFLP). Blood plasma was tested for FSH and estradiol (E2). Statistical analysis was performed using STATISTICA software.ResultsA relationship was confirmed between standard scores for 3 cognitive functions: general memory, verbal memory, and processing speed, and the XbaI polymorphism in the women in the study. In the group of women with genotype TT PvuII, significant positive relationships were observed between the concentration of E2 and the standard scores of 3 cognitive functions: general memory, verbal memory, and processing speed. In the group of women with genotype TC PvuII, significant negative correlations were found between the concentration of E2 and the standard scores of 4 cognitive functions: NCI, general memory, verbal memory, and processing speed.ConclusionsERα polymorphism exerted an effect on the interaction between the concentration of estradiol and the results for cognitive functions. The concentration of estradiol did not depend on Xba1 and PvuII polymorphisms. The results for cognitive functions depended on which Xba1 polymorphism the woman carried.

Low testosterone levels relate to poorer cognitive function in women in an APOE-ε4-dependant manner

“…Cognitive sex biases suggest that sex hormones may play a role in brain development and functioning related to these cognitive domains. Accordantly, studies have shown that performance on verbal memory and processing speed tests worsen during the menopausal transition [ 73 , 74 ], depend on estrogen receptor genotype [ 75 ], and decline with increasing years since menopause [ 76 ]. In conjuction with these past findings, the specificity of our findings to cognitive domains with a female bias may further support a mechanistic role of the aromatization of androgens to estrogen in explaining our results.…”

Metabolic Syndrome, BMI, and Polymorphism of Estrogen Receptor-α in Peri- and Post-Menopausal Polish Women

“…Lian reported that the AG Xba I and TC Pvu II genotypes were the most common among Europeans, while Dai found that the AA Xba I and TC Pvu II genotypes were the most common in Asians. Interestingly, both researchers reported that among both the white and Asian populations, the least common genotypes were GG Xba I and CC Pvu II [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ].…”

Estrogen receptor α polymorphism is associated with dementia in a Brazilian cohort

“…It has been described that the regional distribution of estrogen receptors (ER) within the brain is surprisingly similar to the geography of brain pathology in Alzheimer’s disease [ 10 ]. The effect of Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) polymorphisms on cognitive functions occurs due to the interaction of the concentration of estradiol with the receptor [ 11 , 12 ]. Thus, the estrogen/ER complex becomes an interesting candidate to discover the genetic background of dementia.…”

“…These data are contrary to those found by [ 15 ], where the association was observed only in males [ 15 ]. However, the results for cognitive functions depends on which Xba1 polymorphism the woman carries [ 12 ].…”