Journal Article

DZNE-2024-00348

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Effects of estrogen on spatial navigation and memory.

Joue, G. ; Navarro-Schröder, T. ; Achtzehn, J. ; Moffat, S. ; Hennies, N. ; Fuß, J. ; Döller, C. ; Wolbers, T.DZNE* ; Sommer, T.

2024
Springer New York, NY

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1007/s00213-024-06539-3

Abstract: Animal studies suggest that the so-called 'female' hormone estrogen enhances spatial navigation and memory. This contradicts the observation that males generally out-perform females in spatial navigation and tasks involving spatial memory. A closer look at the vast number of studies actually reveals that performance differences are not so clear.To help clarify the unclear performance differences between men and women and the role of estrogen, we attempted to isolate organizational from activational effects of estrogen on spatial navigation and memory.In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we tested the effects of orally administered estradiol valerate (E2V) in healthy, young women in their low-hormone menstrual cycle phase, compared to healthy, young men. Participants performed several first-person, environmentally rich, 3-D computer games inspired by spatial navigation and memory paradigms in animal research.We found navigation behavior suggesting that sex effects dominated any E2 effects with men performing better with allocentric strategies and women with egocentric strategies. Increased E2 levels did not lead to general improvements in spatial ability in either sex but to behavioral changes reflecting navigation flexibility.Estrogen-driven differences in spatial cognition might be better characterized on a spectrum of navigation flexibility rather than by categorical performance measures or skills.

Keyword(s): Animals (MeSH) ; Female (MeSH) ; Humans (MeSH) ; Male (MeSH) ; Estradiol: pharmacology (MeSH) ; Estrogens: pharmacology (MeSH) ; Spatial Memory (MeSH) ; Spatial Navigation (MeSH) ; Double-Blind Method (MeSH) ; Estradiol ; Estrogen ; Gender differences ; Sex differences ; Spatial memory ; Spatial navigation ; Estrogens

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Aging, Cognition and Technology (AG Wolbers)

Research Program(s):

1. 353 - Clinical and Health Care Research (POF4-353) (POF4-353)

Appears in the scientific report 2024

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Database coverage:
; ; ; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; DEAL Springer ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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