Neurodegenerative Processes: The Role of Sex Hormones

Neurodegenerative diseases are a class of diseases in which the neurons of the brain are affected. They are generally incurable since the neurons in the brain do not reproduce in most cases. Therefore, damaged neurons cannot be replaced by the body. A few of the common neurodegenerative diseases are Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have shown that there is a connection between the progression of a few particular types of neurodegeneration and sex steroids. The effect of estrogens, through their action on cognate nuclear and membrane receptors, was shown to be neuroprotective in nature. The effect of male hormones on neuronal cells has been negative in some cases, whereas in other cases it exhibited neuroprotective behavior. This book contains some path-breaking studies in the research related to neurodegenerative processes. Also included herein is a detailed explanation of the role of sex hormones in neurodegenerative processes. Scientists and students actively engaged in this field will find this book full of crucial and unexplored concepts.