Unit:
Κατεύθυνση ΝευροεπιστήμεςLibrary of the School of Science
Supervisors info:
Δρ. Χριστίνα Δάλλα, Καθηγήτρια Τμήμα Ιατρικής Σχολής ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Exploring the role of GPER1 activation in the hippocampus of male and female rats: advancing new treatments for mood and anxiety disorders
Translated title:
Exploring the role of GPER1 activation in the hippocampus of male and female rats: advancing new treatments for mood and anxiety disorders
Summary:
Anxiety and depression are serious mental health conditions impairing millions of
lives, with women being almost twice as affected as men. Recent studies suggest that
rapid estrogen signaling may play a role in female-specific mood disorders. This study
explores behavioral strategies to investigate the link between the G protein-coupled
estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) and anxiety and depression. The hypothesis of this
project is that GPER1 influences these disorders, and targeting it may rapidly alleviate
symptoms. The aim is to investigate the behavioral effects of GPER1 activation and
identify potential intracellular pathways involved. Rats of both sexes were locally
infused in the CA1 area of the hippocampus with the GPER1 receptor agonist G1,
either alone or combined with either a PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitor or an ERK pathway
inhibitor. All rats then underwent behavioral phenotyping using standard tests for
depression and anxiety, with behaviors scored using Kinoscope software. Vaginal
smear samples were cytologically examined to identify the estrous cycle stages in
females, accounting for hormonal fluctuations in the study of GPER1 signaling. This
study highlights sex differences in rapid GPER1 activation and provides insights into
the underlying mechanisms related to these disorders.
Main subject category:
Science
Keywords:
GPER1, Anxiety, Depression, Sex differences
File:
File access is restricted until 2026-12-13.
Thesis_Theodoulou Erma_Pergamos.pdf
1 MB
File access is restricted until 2026-12-13.
