The Role of Estrogens in the Hippocampal- Neuropeptide Y Damaly Ferreira Jana Veliskova Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Keywords Estrogen- female sex hormones that are secreted by the ovary and responsible for typical female characteristics. Seizure- a sudden burst of electric activity in the brain Epilepsy- a seizure disorder Hippocampus- a part of the brain affected by estrogen and is associated with transferring information into memory NPY- a powerful inhibitory system in the hippocampal hilar region implicated in the regulation of seizure activity. Status Epilepticus- an episode or continuous seizure of 30 minutes or more

Introduction Objective: In our experiment, our goal is to figure out the role estrogens play in the Hippocampus- Neuropeptide Y region (NPY). Hypothesis: Estrogens are accountable for the actions produced in the NPY. Literature Review: In past studies, there have been human and animal studies that have created a lot of controversial data that debate the role of estrogens with seizures.

Materials and Methods Ovariectomy Treat Sprague Dawley rats with PPT PPT PPT4,4,4-(4-propy-[1H]-pyrazole-1,3,5-triyl)trisphenol ER beta and ER alpha agonist C24H22N2O3  H2O Perfusion Brain is taken out of skull Brain is immersed into 2-methylbutane, then stored into storage freezer Washed with PBS (saline solution)

Materials and Methods con’t Immunohistochemistry 50 µl of H 2 O ml of PBS Wash wells with PBS (5 minutes each) 160 µl of BSA + 5 ml of PBS + 20 µl Triton into wells for 90 minutes Apply NPY antibody + 5 ml PBS for 90 minutes Put 200 µl of solution in each well Put 200 µl of solution in each well Take out NPY antibody solution and wash 3 times with PBS

Materials and Methods con’t Immunohistochemistry con’t 100 µl of BSA + 5 ml PBS + 25 µl anti-rabbit in wells for 1 hr Wash 3 times with PBS Apply AB in wells and settle for 1 hr Wash 3 times with PBS DAB

Expected Results The PPT used, will hopefully detect which Estrogen Receptor was triggered. In the maps of the slides, we will hopefully see whether the Estrogen created any damage to the hippocampal area, or whether the NPY protected the hippocampal area from any damage.

References Immunohistochemistry con’t Are the role of Estrogens in Seizures and Epilepsy: the bad guys or the good guys? 2005, Elsevier Ltd, Bronx, NY. Carol Camfield, M.D What is epilepsy? 2 Aug Centre for Cancer Education [on-line] bin/omd?query=seizure&action=Search+OMD, 3 Aug Centre for Cancer Education [on-line] bin/omd?query=status+epilepticus, 2 Aug bin/omd?query=status+epilepticushttp://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cgi- bin/omd?query=status+epilepticus The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language [on-line] Aug Veliskova, J., Velisek, L., Galanopoulou, A.S. and Sperber, E.F.: Neuroprotective effects of estrogens on hippocampal cells in adult female rats following status epilepticus. Epilepsia, 41 Suppl.6:S30-35,(2000). Veliskova, J., Velisek, L., Galanopoulou, A.S. and Sperber, E.F.: Neuroprotective effects of estrogens on hippocampal cells in adult female rats following status epilepticus. Epilepsia, 41 Suppl.6:S30-35,(2000).

Acknowledgements Jana Veliskova, M.D., Ph.D. Hong Wong Zunju Tamara Dennis Dr. Sat Bhattacharya Harlem Children Society MSKCC The Audience