The direct and indirect influence of the steroid hormone testosterone on the functional activity, chemical signaling, and structural integrity of the central and peripheral nervous systems. This modulation affects a wide range of neurological processes, including mood, cognition, spatial awareness, and the regulation of pain perception. Testosterone neuromodulation is a key mechanism underlying the hormone’s impact on male and female mental well-being and cognitive performance.
Origin
This term synthesizes the endocrinological understanding of testosterone’s systemic role with the neuroscientific recognition of its non-genomic and genomic actions within the brain. It is rooted in the discovery of androgen receptors in various brain regions, particularly the hippocampus and amygdala, which are critical for memory and emotion. The concept emphasizes the hormone’s role as a potent neuro-active steroid, distinct from its purely reproductive functions.
Mechanism
Testosterone acts mechanistically in the brain through several pathways: binding directly to intracellular androgen receptors to alter gene transcription, rapid non-genomic signaling at the cell membrane, and local conversion to estradiol via the aromatase enzyme, which then acts through estrogen receptors. This dual-action allows testosterone to influence neurotransmitter synthesis, dendritic branching, and the expression of neurotrophic factors like BDNF, thereby supporting neural plasticity and cognitive resilience.
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