Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia, with two-thirds of patients being women, particularly post-menopausal women with significantly reduced estrogen concentrations. Estrogens are known to exert neuroprotective action and their deficiency because of early menopause has been linked to an increased risk of developing AD.Currently, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is used to treat the physiological reduction of hormone levels and manage post-menopausal symptoms. However, HRT does not reduce the risk of developing dementia, and can carry side effects such as increased risk of stroke, venous thrombosis, and breast cancer. Consequently, researchers have turned their focus to alternative treatments, such as bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHT). BHT offers a favorable adverse effect profile over HRT and is equally effective in managing menopausal symptoms.Natural polyphenols, also named phytoestrogens, are very promising molecules. Depending on structure, dose, cell type and the estrogen response element (ERE) sequence, different polyphenols display weak or strong antagonistic or agonistic effects on ERs, resulting in a wide spectrum of activities in cells. Polyphenols represent a promising starting point for new preventive and therapeutic approaches, since they target epigenetic, metabolic, inflammatory, and oxidative pathways, and amyloid aggregation effectively and simultaneously. These molecules are widely available worldwide at a low cost and exhibit low toxicity. Enhanced understanding is essential to extend the utilization of natural polyphenols far beyond their recognized antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antilipidemic effects. Further insights in this regard could be leveraged to enhance the commercial and nutraceutical value of natural compounds, thereby enriching their alimentary and health benefits.We welcome submissions on themes including, but not limited to:• Understanding sex-driven effects of ovarian hormones on dementia risk• Understanding the complex role of estrogen signaling in the brain under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions• Providing a valuable foundation for the possibility of natural polyphenols use in substitution of classical HRT• Highlighting the relation between estrogen depletion and amyloid aggregates formation• Improving the knowledge of natural polyphenols at molecular levels in prevention of AD onset
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia, with two-thirds of patients being women, particularly post-menopausal women with significantly reduced estrogen concentrations. Estrogens are known to exert neuroprotective action and their deficiency because of early menopause has been linked to an increased risk of developing AD.Currently, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is used to treat the physiological reduction of hormone levels and manage post-menopausal symptoms. However, HRT does not reduce the risk of developing dementia, and can carry side effects such as increased risk of stroke, venous thrombosis, and breast cancer. Consequently, researchers have turned their focus to alternative treatments, such as bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHT). BHT offers a favorable adverse effect profile over HRT and is equally effective in managing menopausal symptoms.Natural polyphenols, also named phytoestrogens, are very promising molecules. Depending on structure, dose, cell type and the estrogen response element (ERE) sequence, different polyphenols display weak or strong antagonistic or agonistic effects on ERs, resulting in a wide spectrum of activities in cells. Polyphenols represent a promising starting point for new preventive and therapeutic approaches, since they target epigenetic, metabolic, inflammatory, and oxidative pathways, and amyloid aggregation effectively and simultaneously. These molecules are widely available worldwide at a low cost and exhibit low toxicity. Enhanced understanding is essential to extend the utilization of natural polyphenols far beyond their recognized antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antilipidemic effects. Further insights in this regard could be leveraged to enhance the commercial and nutraceutical value of natural compounds, thereby enriching their alimentary and health benefits.We welcome submissions on themes including, but not limited to:• Understanding sex-driven effects of ovarian hormones on dementia risk• Understanding the complex role of estrogen signaling in the brain under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions• Providing a valuable foundation for the possibility of natural polyphenols use in substitution of classical HRT• Highlighting the relation between estrogen depletion and amyloid aggregates formation• Improving the knowledge of natural polyphenols at molecular levels in prevention of AD onset