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Protective effects of estrogen and selective estrogen receptor modulators in the brain
Dhandapani KM, Brann DW.. Biology of reproduction, 2002-11-01
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
Within the last few years, there has been a growing interest in the neuroprotective effects of estrogen and the possible beneficial effects of estrogen in neurodegenerative diseases such as stroke, Alzheimer disease, and Parkinson disease. Here, we review the progress in this field, with a particular focus upon estrogen-induced protection from stroke-induced ischemic damage. The important issue of whether clinically relevant selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) such as tamoxifen and raloxifene and estrogen replacement therapy can exert neuroprotection is also addressed.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Dhandapani, K. M., & Brann, D. W. (2002). Protective effects of estrogen and selective estrogen receptor modulators in the brain. Biology of reproduction. https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.102.003848
Vancouver
Dhandapani KM, Brann DW. Protective effects of estrogen and selective estrogen receptor modulators in the brain. Biology of reproduction. 2002. doi:10.1095/biolreprod.102.003848. PMID: 12390866.
BibTeX
@article{dhandapani2002-12390866,
author = {Dhandapani, K. M. and Brann, D. W.},
title = {{Protective effects of estrogen and selective estrogen receptor modulators in the brain}},
journal = {Biology of reproduction},
year = {2002},
doi = {10.1095/biolreprod.102.003848},
pmid = {12390866},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.102.003848}
}
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
Key findings
- Here, we review the progress in this field, with a particular focus upon estrogen-induced protection from stroke-induced ischemic damage.
- The important issue of whether clinically relevant selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) such as tamoxifen and raloxifene and estrogen replacement therapy can exert neuroprotection is also addressed.
- Although the mechanism of estrogen and SERM neuroprotection is not clearly resolved, we summarize the leading possibilities, including 1) a genomic estrogen receptor-mediated pathway that involves gene transcription, 2) a nongenomic signaling pathway involving activation of cell signalers such as mitogen-activated protein kinases and/or phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase /protein kinase B, and 3) a nonreceptor antioxidant free-radical scavenging pathway that is primarily observed with pharmacological doses of estrogen.
- The role of other potential mediatory factors such as growth factors and the possibility of an astrocyte role in neuroprotection is also discussed.
Why it matters
This review discusses whether estrogen and selective estrogen receptor modulators such as tamoxifen and raloxifene can protect the brain, noting the mechanism is not clearly resolved. It reports no treatment, cure, or prevention for Alzheimer's disease.
Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 40/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Biology of reproduction) |
| Journal's citation record | 3 / 4 | Biology of Reproduction: journal h-index 268 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 2002 — older than 20 years, still counted |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 5 / 7 | Cited 218 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 3 / 5 | 8.4 citations a year over 26 year(s) since 2002 |
| Impact for its field and year | 4 / 6 | Cited 8.9× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 9 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Darrell W. Brann: h-index 68 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Augusta University: institution h-index 504 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 12390866) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 40 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
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