Ovariectomy and 17β-estradiol modulate the levels of Alzheimer’s amyloid β peptides in brain

Our results infer that cessation of ovarian estrogen production in postmenopausal women might facilitate Abeta deposition by increasing the local concentrations of Abeta40 and Abeta42 peptides in brain. In addition, our finding that E2 treatment is associated with diminution of brain Abeta levels suggests that modulation of Abeta metabolism may be one of the ways by which estrogen replacement therapy prevents or delays the onset of AD or both in postmenopausal women.