Perspective: Sex matters: Gonadal steroids and the brain

Abstract

Sex matters to every cell of the body and thus gonadal steroids have the capability of affecting numerous behaviors and neurotransmitters. Several reports in this issue highlight the importance of gonadal steroids: estradiol and progesterone modulate the serotonin transporter in rodents changes in D2 receptors across the menstrual cycle in female cynomolgus monkeys testosterone influences amygdala reactivity in women and temporary suppression of gonadal steroids influences sexual in both men and women. This body of work challenges all of neuropsychopharmacology to consider the importance of sex and gonadal steroids in future studies. © 2009 Nature Publishing Group All rights reserved.