Tallie Z. Baram MD, PhD, Professor of Pediatrics, Anatomy and Neurobiology, Neurology, Physiology and Biophysics, has published new research in the journal Neuron, recently highlighted by Live Science. Her mice study found that estrogen levels in the hippocampus, a key brain structure involved in learning and memory, may shape how resilient we are to memory problems following traumatic stress. While estrogen is often thought of as a “female” hormone, both male and female brains produce it locally, and these estrogen concentrations may play a significant role in one’s vulnerability to memory problems after acute stress. Although the study was conducted with mice, the authors suggest that findings are relevant to humans.
Dr. Baram findings carry important implications beyond traumatic stress, particularly for women’s risk of aging-related memory decline and dementia. During perimenopause, estrogen levels spike, the findings suggest that when stress occurs during this time, the combination of high estrogen and stress may contribute to memory disturbances.
To read a summary of the article click here: https://www.livescience.com/health/neuroscience/estrogen-levels-in-both-the-male-and-female-brain-may-shape-memorys-resilience-in-face-of-stress
To read the full research article at Neuron click here: https://www.cell.com/neuron/fulltext/S0896-6273(25)00993-6
