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estrogen

This shows the outline of two women's heads and a brain.

·April 20, 2026·8 min read

Multiple Pregnancies May Shield the Female Brain From Stroke

A new study reveals that women with three or more live births have a reduced risk of stroke and covert vascular brain damage.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 12, 2026·11 min read

Estrogen Levels at the Moment of Trauma Predict PTSD

High estrogen levels at the moment of trauma increase the brain's "plasticity," making it more vulnerable to PTSD. This biological state helps explain why women face higher PTSD risks.

This shows the outline of a woman's head.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·April 9, 2026·8 min read

Why Autism Is Less Frequent in Women

Researchers discovered that the MDGA1 gene mutation causes autism primarily in males, while females are protected by estrogen. The study suggests bazedoxifene, an FDA-approved drug, could be a new treatment for ASD.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 12, 2025·5 min read

Estrogen Shapes Dopamine Reward Learning

A new study shows that estrogen naturally modulates dopamine signaling in the brain, altering how female rats learn reward cues across the reproductive cycle. When estrogen levels were high, dopamine responses in the reward center intensified, improving learning.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·October 14, 2025·6 min read

Pregnancy Hormones Show Promise in Treating Progressive MS

Researchers have identified two forms of estrogen, estradiol and estriol, that may reduce inflammation and protect nerve fibers in progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). Using a virus model of the disease, the study found that both hormones lowered spinal cord inflammation, while estradiol significantly preserved the myelin sheath that protects nerve cells.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 14, 2025·4 min read

How Lactating Brains Rewire Metabolism for Milk Production

Lactation triggers significant metabolic changes in mothers, driven by shifting hormone levels and brain activity. Researchers have now uncovered how increased prolactin and reduced estrogen suppress specific neurons in the hypothalamus to boost appetite and conserve fat, meeting the energy demands of nursing.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Pain

·April 4, 2025·5 min read

Female Hormones Trigger Pain Relief via Immune Cells

Scientists have discovered that female hormones like estrogen and progesterone can trigger immune cells near the spinal cord to release natural opioids, easing pain before it reaches the brain. These immune cells, known as T regulatory cells (T-regs), are located in the meninges and produce the painkilling molecule enkephalin in response to hormonal signals.

Featured Neuroscience

·December 30, 2024·6 min read

Estrogen Drives Binge Drinking Behavior in Females

The hormone estrogen increases binge drinking in females by enhancing activity in neurons within the brain's BNST region. The effect is particularly strong during high-estrogen phases, leading to "front-loading," or rapid alcohol consumption within the first 30 minutes of availability.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·October 3, 2024·4 min read

Estrogen’s Quick Impact on Neurons via Clic1

Researchers have discovered that estrogen's fast action on neurons is mediated by the estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-alpha) coupling with the chloride ion channel Clic1. This interaction allows estrogen to regulate nerve impulses within milliseconds, influencing processes like mood, cognition, and body weight.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 2, 2024·2 min read

Synthetic Estrogen in Birth Control Linked to Anxiety

Researchers suggest that the type of estrogen in hormonal birth control influences anxiety-like behaviors. Researchers found that synthetic estrogen in birth control led to increased anxiety behaviors in female rats compared to natural estrogen.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 23, 2023·5 min read

Stress Neurons Mapped the Brain, Exposing Estrogen Link

Researchers pinpointed a specific group of nerve cells in the mouse brain that play a role in negative emotional states and chronic stress. The neurons, which were mapped using a variety of advanced techniques, were found to possess estrogen receptors.