Impact of brain estrogens on cognition and brain aging in a non-human primate

The goal of the parent grant is to characterize the effects of the aromatase inhibitor letrozole (LET) and the brain-selective estrogen prodrug DHED on (1) behavior; (2) brain electrophysiology; and (3) gene expression, in several regions of the marmoset brain. An important supplement to this effort is to better understand the cellular and molecular

mechanisms by which LET and DHED affect the male and female primate brain. For her Masters’ project, Ms. Abigail Monroy Duenas will use immunohistochemistry (IHC) in marmoset brain tissue to quantify the spatial distribution of aromatase protein and estrogen receptors (ERs) in males and females treated with DHED, DHED + LET or vehicle. Because the Masters’

is to be completed within one year, the project will address a single specific aim: To quantify aromatase protein and ERs in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and hypothalamus of male and female marmoset brains treated with DHED, DHED + LET or vehicle. Very limited data on aromatase distribution and ERs are available for the marmoset brain.

Therefore Ms. Monroy Duenas’ project to identify ERs and aromatase in several regions of marmoset brain tissue is impactful and will be a unique opportunity for her to be trained in valuable new skills.