[Neuroendocrine aspects of menopause]

Abstract

Menopause is primary determined by the estrogen deficit. Neuropeptides and neurotransmitters such as opioid peptides, serotonin, noradrenaline, dopamine secreted within the central nervous system also plays significant role in the patho-physiology of menopausal symptoms. They are under regulatory influence of sex steroid hormones, mainly estrogens. It is appeared that estrogen may act within central nervous system through the genomic and nongenomic effect. In this article the mechanisms of estrogen influence on the function and metabolism of neuronal cells have been presented. The neuroendocrine background of some menopausal symptoms also has been discussed. Particularly the etiopathogenesis of hot flushes and cognitive functions has been analyzed. Contemporary views on the role of estrogens in the etiopathogenesis of Alzheimer disease have been presented.