Membrane estrogen receptors mediate calcium signaling and MAP kinase activation in individual hippocampal neurons

► Membrane estrogen receptors, both ERα and ERβ, occur on hippocampal neurons. ► Membrane estrogen receptors activate ERK signaling pathway and a rise in intracellular calcium. ► Membrane estrogen receptors occur on select populations of GABAergic, glutamatergic and L-type calcium channel expressing neurons.