Effects of two years of estrogen loss or replacement on nucleus basalis cholinergic neurons and cholinergic fibers to the dorsolateral prefrontal and inferior parietal cortex of monkeys

The present study examined the long‐term (2 years) effects of estrogen loss or estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) on cholinergic neurons in the nucleus basalis of Meynert and on cholinergic fibers in the prefrontal and parietal cortex of adult female cynomolgus monkeys. Cholinergic fiber density in layer II of the prefrontal cortex was decreased in monkeys who were ovariectomized and treated with placebo for 2 years. In contrast, ovariectomized monkeys receiving ERT for 2 years had fiber densities that were comparable to those of intact controls. No differences in parietal cholinergic fiber density or nucleus basalis cholinergic neuron number or volume were found among intact, ovariectomized, or ERT monkeys. Our results suggest that ERT is effective in preventing region‐specific changes in cortical cholinergic fibers that result from the loss of circulating ovarian hormones. These modest but appreciable effects on cholinergic neurobiology following long‐term estrogen loss and ERT may contribute to changes in visuospatial attention function that is mediated by the prefrontal cortex. J. Comp. Neurol. 469:507–521, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.