Neuroprotective effects of estrogens and androgens in CNS inflammation and neurodegeneration.

ABSTRACT: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease characterized by inflammation and demyelination. Currently, the cause of MS is unknown. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is the most common mouse model of MS. Treatments with the sex hormones, estrogens and androgens, are capable of offering disease protection during EAE and are currently being used in clinical trials of MS. Beyond endogenous estrogens and androgens, treatments with selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) for estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) are also capable of providing disease protection. This protection includes, but is not limited to, prevention of clinical disease, reduction of CNS inflammation, protection against demyelination, and protection against axonal loss. In EAE, current

SUBMITTER: Spence RD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3616506 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature