Role of Estrogen in Regulation of Morphology and Synaptic Connectivity in Female Rat Subiculum

Our results indicate that estrogen deficiency (induced by normal ageing or by ovariectomy) results in subicular neuronal degenerative changes, decreased synaptic connectivity and reduced dendritic arborization, most of which are reasonably reversed with estrogen replenishment. These studies suggest a unique role of estrogen in preventing and even reversing the senile neurodegenerative changes in female subiculum.