The effect of 17ß-estradiol and its analogues on cognition in preclinical and clinical research: Relevance to schizophrenia

Abstract

Epidemiological and clinical evidence suggests estrogen plays a role in the development and severity of schizophrenia, and a growing body of literature indicates estrogen therapy is a feasible treatment option. Current pharmacological treatments for schizophrenia primarily address the positive symptoms and fail to adequately address the cognitive deficits; thus, novel treatments require exploration. The sex steroid hormone 17 ß-estradiol has been extensively studied as a treatment for schizophrenia, and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) have been more recently investigated as other potential candidates. This chapter aims to critically analyse the current evidence for the clinica..