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Neuroplasticity

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ESTROGEN MEDIATE NEUROPLASTICITY: A POTENTIAL MEASURE OF HORMONE INDUCED LEARNING
Hormones are substances in the body that generally travel through the bloodstream with intent to regulate some aspect of the organism. Sex hormones specifically are steroid hormones typically produced by the gonads, and are recognized for regulating many aspects involved with reproduction. Reproductive steroids, including estrogen and testosterone, have circumstantially based functions (Rubinow, 2005). Estrogen is the sex steroid hormone released by the gonads, and although found in all sexes, is most abundant in biological females. Current literature appears to be mixed about the effects of sex hormones on cognition; however, there appears to be a trend in …show more content…
A synapse is the point of communication between two neurons, which can be strengthened or weakened. In order for learning to occur, a synapse must be created or modified in some way. This synaptic modulation can happen through a multitude of mechanisms; however, the most common is through creating additional spines, or receptors to a dendrite (Gilbert, 2009). The creation of these spines and receptors results in extra targets for the neurotransmitters. As a result, there is an increased likelihood of that particular signal being passed onto the next neuron (Bjornstron, 2005). The strength and stability of a neural connection is activity dependent, where the frequency of an action potential and strength of the connection are positively correlated (Caroni, 2012). This means that when a certain connection is activated frequently, the postsynaptic neuron will create more spines on its dendrites (PSD), increasing the efficiency of synaptic transmission. This increased strength of a connection is known as long-term potentiation (LTP)(Akama, 2003). Similarly, the opposite is true: as certain connections are not used, the spines will recede, and the connection will be lost this process is known as pruning. Learning is the result of specific neural pathways being activated, and strengthened, leading to a long lasting track responsible for obtaining that specific. Differing levels of sex hormones are associated with distinct changes in signaling pathways, such as increased or decreased receptors and spines (Bi,

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