Friday, October 12, 2012: 4:20 PM
Hall 4E/F (WSCC)
Recently, our laboratory found that the main circulating hormone present after menopause and
follicle depletion, androstenedione, impairs memory. Specifically, we evaluated two doses of
exogenously administered androstenedione to middle-aged ovariectomized rats. Results showed
that androstenedione, at the highest dose, impaired working and reference memory. Interestingly,
androstenedione can be converted to either an estrogen (estrone) or testosterone. Thus, we
hypothesize that the negative impact of androstenedione is due to conversion into either estrone
or testosterone. A pilot study will be conducted with the goal of determining the mechanism
of action of androstenedione by methodically blocking the conversion of androstenedione to
estrone, or blocking androgen receptor activity, and evaluating changes in cognition. Animals
will be tested on the water radial arm maze (WRAM) for evaluation of spatial working and
reference memory. Measures of cognitive performance will be presented.
follicle depletion, androstenedione, impairs memory. Specifically, we evaluated two doses of
exogenously administered androstenedione to middle-aged ovariectomized rats. Results showed
that androstenedione, at the highest dose, impaired working and reference memory. Interestingly,
androstenedione can be converted to either an estrogen (estrone) or testosterone. Thus, we
hypothesize that the negative impact of androstenedione is due to conversion into either estrone
or testosterone. A pilot study will be conducted with the goal of determining the mechanism
of action of androstenedione by methodically blocking the conversion of androstenedione to
estrone, or blocking androgen receptor activity, and evaluating changes in cognition. Animals
will be tested on the water radial arm maze (WRAM) for evaluation of spatial working and
reference memory. Measures of cognitive performance will be presented.