Farida Sohrabji is interested in
the neurobiology of aging and neurodegenerative disease. Specifically,
my lab studies the neural effects of estrogens on those regions
of the brain that govern cognitive function. Current research
focuses on the role of the estrogen receptor, receptor-specific
compounds and the role of estrogen as an anti-inflammatory in
central and peripheral cells. A major focus of investigation is
the comparison of estrogens effect on young adult females versus
reproductive senescent animals. This latter model mimics aspects
of the human menopause, which is the group likely to seek estrogen
replacement therapy. Our work indicates that while estrogen replacement
is beneficial to the young adult brain, it is deleterious to the
reproductive senescent animals. We are currently testing the hypothesis
that compensatory changes in estrogen receptor systems during
reproductive senescence crucially determine whether estrogen has
beneficial or deleterious to the central nervous system.
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| Sohrabji, F. K.W. Peeples and
O. Marroquin (2000) Local and cortical effects of olfactory bulb
lesions on trophic support and cholinergic function and their
modulation by estrogen. J. Neurobiology, 45: 61-84.
Jezierski, M.K. and F. Sohrabji (2000) Region- and peptide-specific
regulation of the neurotrophins by estrogen. Molecular Brain Research,
85: 77-84.
Jezierski, M.K. and F. Sohrabji (2001) Neurotrophin expression
in the reproductively senescent forebrain is refractory to estrogen
stimulation. Neurobiology of Aging, 22: 311-321.
Jezierski M.K., A. K. Sturm, M. Scarborough and F. Sohrabji (2001)
NGF stimulation increases JNK phosphorylation and reduces caspase-3
activity in the olfactory bulb of estrogen-replaced animals. Endocrinology,
142: 2401-2404.
Sohrabji F. (2002) Alcohol-induced neurodegeneration in women.
Alcohol Research and Health, Journal of the NIAAA, 26: 316-318.
Nordell, V.L, M.M. Scarborough and F. Sohrabji (2003) Estrogen
regulation of cytokine expression in the injured forebrain is
dependent on reproductive age. Neurobiology of Aging 24: 733-743.
Jezierski, M.J. and F Sohrabji (2003) Estrogen regulates retrograde
transport of BDNF in a forebrain circuit. Endocrinology, 144:
5022-5029.
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National Institutes of Health (NIH/NIA):
Primary investigator (30% Effort): Mechanisms and Consequences
of estrogen action. 2/1/02-1/31/06. Total Direct Costs: $600,000
Alzheimer’ Association: Primary investigator (15% Effort):
Estrogen regulation of the inflammatory response. IIRG program.
Project Period: 6/1/2002-5/31/2005. Total Direct Costs: $235,754.
National Institute of Health: Co-investigator (10% effort) Role
of BDNF in the photic control of circadian rhythms. P.I. D. Earnest.
Project Period: Jan 2001-Dec 2004.
Center for Environmental and Rural Health Pilot Award program:
Primary Investigator Estrogen’s effect on cerebral vasculature.
Dec 2003-Nov 2004. Total costs: 6,000.
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