(leader: Dr. Kovács Gergely)
Estrogen secreted from the ovary is able to influence the basic functions of neurons. Cholinergic neurons, which show increased degeneration in Alzheimer's disease, are protected by estrogen against harmful effects, which may play an important role in the survival of these neurons. Estrogen regulates the central nervous system's ``processor cells'' of fertility, the gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons, through feedback. In the last decade, it has become apparent that estrogen has a rapid non-classical effect, with which it is able to rapidly ``retune'' the intracellular signal transmission network of cells. In our experiments, we are looking for the answer to the mechanism and role of estrogen-induced non-classical effects in cholinergic and GnRH neurons.
Dr. Barabás Klaudia
Dr. Jánosi Tibor (external collaborator)
Dr. Lengyel Ferenc
Dr. Makkai Géza (external collaborator)
Faludi Péter
Kisjós Olivér
Hrabovszki Kitti