Luteinizing hormone and the aging brain.

Megan Mey, Sabina Bhatta, Gemma Casadesus

Journal: Vitamins and hormones 2022;115():89-104

PMID: 33706966

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Abstract

Fluctuations in luteinizing hormone (LH) release contribute to the development and maintenance of the reproductive system and become dysregulated during aging. Of note, increasing evidence supports extra-gonadal roles for LH within the CNS, particularly as it relates to cognition and plasticity in aging and age-related degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, despite increasing evidence that supports a link between this hormone and CNS function, the mechanisms underlying LH action within the brain and how they influence cognition and plasticity during the lifespan is poorly understood and, in fact, often in conflict. This chapter aims to provide an up-to-date review of the literature addressing the role of LH signaling in the context of CNS aging and disease and put forward a unifying hypothesis that may explain currently conflicting theories regarding the role of LHCGR signaling in CNS function and dysfunction in aging and disease.

Address: Department of Biomedical Science, Kent State University, Cunningham Hall, Kent, OH, United States.; Department of Biological Science, School of Arts and Sciences, Kent State University, Cunningham Hall, Kent, OH, United States. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2020.12.005