Rb. Gibbs et al., EFFECTS OF ESTROGEN ON POTASSIUM-STIMULATED ACETYLCHOLINE-RELEASE IN THE HIPPOCAMPUS AND OVERLYING CORTEX OF ADULT-RATS, Brain research, 749(1), 1997, pp. 143-146
In vivo microdialysis techniques were used to examine the effects of e
strogen on potassium-stimulated acetylcholine release in the hippocamp
us and overlying cortex of adult, ovariectomized rats. Estrogen treatm
ent resulted in a significant increase in the percent change in acetyl
choline release induced by potassium relative to controls, particularl
y after prolonged (90 min) exposure to high potassium. The data sugges
t that estrogen may help to maintain cholinergic function under condit
ions where cholinergic afferents to the hippocampal formation and cort
ex are challenged or impaired.