The Participation of Hormones in the Processes of Cognitive and Socio-Emotional Aging

Abstract

Aging is associated with generally accepted changes in brain functions, including cognitive ones. In addition, age makes its own adjustments to the work of the endocrine system. In turn, a change in the hormonal background during the aging process imprints the work of brain cells, cognitive functions, and socio-emotional functioning. Investigated, the relationship between sex hormones, cortisol, oxytocin and cognitive and socio-emotional functioning. Sex hormones are involved in neurite growth, synaptogenesis, dendritic branching, myelination, and other important mechanisms of neural plasticity. Physiological and pathological conceptualized theories suggest how sex hormones potentially cause neuroplasticity changes through four neurochemical neurotransmitter systems: serotonin, dopamine, GABA and glutamate. Many brain regions express high density estrogen and progesterone receptors such as the amygdala, hypothalamus, and hippocampus. The hippocampus is of particular importance in the context of mediating structural plasticity in the adult brain, differences in behavior, neurochemical patterns and structure of the hippocampus with a changing hormonal environment have been investigated. There is a significant association between emotion dysregulation and symptoms of depression, anxiety, eating pathology, and substance abuse. Higher levels of emotion regulation are associated with a high level of social competence.