Studies have shown that removing the ovaries from monkeys kills brain cells that protect against Parkinson’s disease. Researchers removed the ovaries from female monkeys, therefore depriving them of estrogen. They found that 30% of the dopamine neurons in the brain disappeared within 10 days, within a month they were permanently lost. However, if estrogen was reintroduced within 10 days of removal, the cells were able to regrow. The results explain why men and post-menopausal women, who have less estrogen in their body, are more susceptible to Parkinson’s disease. In addition, the findings suggest that estrogen therapy could help to prevent the development of the disease.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Journal of Neuroscience 2000; 20: 8604-8609
