Targeting Estrogen Receptors: A Molecular Approach to Combat Neurodegenerative Diseases

ABSTRACT Background A growing body of research points to disruptions in the estrogen as well as estrogen signaling route in a variety of mental illnesses. In addition to being essential for sexual maturation and reproduction, estrogens have a significant role in many other aspects of brain function, including memory, cognition, neurodevelopment, and neuroplasticity. Furthermore, new research on its neuroprotective and anti‐inflammatory properties has sparked interest in exploring its possible therapeutic application in mental illnesses. Objectives The growing body of research on female hormone receptors and psychological conditions in preclinical and clinical investigations has been investigated in this review. Methods The relevant information has been taken from literature search. Pubmed, Google Scholar, scopous search engines have been used for literature survey. Relevant studies (2010–2025) were selected using several keywords such as “neurological disorders”, “estrogen receptor”, “neuroinflammation” etc. The peer review articles were mainly focused on the role of ER receptor in neurodegenerative disorders. Non‐English, insufficient methodology describes articles were excluded. Relevant articles were selected on abstract, evaluation of their content. Results In particular, we go over how estrogen receptors and estrogen signaling support neurological protective effects and cognition via modulating several brain systems, and we evaluate their disturbances and possible consequences in mental illnesses such as depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. Conclusion Additionally, this study examines potential future directions and issues in neurodegenerative diseases by evaluating therapeutic approaches utilizing estrogen and estrogen signaling.