Estrogen Receptor Beta and Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders are more prevalent in boys than in girls, with ratios of 4.5:1, suggesting the possible role of sex hormones in the pathophysiology of this. In addition to the extreme male brain theory on the high levels of testosterone during early development as a risk factor for ASD, a number of recent studies have shown the role of estrogens in the development of ASD. Many studies have suggested an important role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the pathophysiology of ASD, but the underlying mechanism(s) is not known. This thesis aims to determine A) the role of estrogen receptor beta in the development of Autism Spectrum Disorder and B) the role of ER stress in the regulation of ERβ and in the development of ASD pathophysiology.