Influência dos hormônios ovarianos na modulação da memória de medo

Abstract

Fear memory is a fundamental process for survival, allowing adaptation to threatening stimuli. However, its consolidation and extinction can vary significantly between sexes, influenced by ovarian hormones. This study reviews the literature on the effects of estrogens and progesterone in modulating fear memory, highlighting sex differences in the mechanisms of acquisition, consolidation, and extinction of this memory. Evidence suggests that estradiol and progesterone modulate synaptic plasticity in structures such as the amygdala and hippocampus, impacting the retention and suppression of conditioned fear. Additionally, hormonal fluctuations throughout the estrous cycle influence behavioral and physiological responses associated with fear, potentially contributing to the higher female vulnerability to anxiety disorders and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Understanding these mechanisms is essential for developing more effective and personalized therapeutic approaches for treating fear-related disorders.