Epidemiological, clinical, and basic research over the past thirty years have described the benefits of estrogen on cognition, mood, and brain health. Less is known about tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modifier (SERM) commonly used in breast cancer that is able to cross the blood-brain barrier. In this article we review the basic pharmacology of tamoxifen, as well as its effects on cognition and mood. The literature reveals an overall impairing effect of tamoxifen on cognition in breast cancer patients, hinting at central antiestrogen activity. On the other hand, tamoxifen demonstrates promising effects in psychiatric disorders, like bipolar disorder, where its therapeutic action may be independent of interaction with estrogen receptors. Understanding the neuropsychiatric properties of SERMs like tamoxifen can guide future research to ameliorate unwanted side-effects and provide novel options for difficult to treat disorders.

中文翻译：

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他莫昔芬对神经精神的影响：挑战与机遇

过去三十年的流行病学、临床和基础研究描述了雌激素对认知、情绪和大脑健康的益处。人们对他莫昔芬知之甚少，这是一种常用于乳腺癌的选择性雌激素受体调节剂 (SERM)，能够穿过血脑屏障。在本文中，我们回顾了他莫昔芬的基本药理学，以及它对认知和情绪的影响。文献揭示了他莫昔芬对乳腺癌患者认知的整体损害作用，暗示了中枢抗雌激素活性。另一方面，他莫昔芬在精神疾病（如双相情感障碍）中表现出有希望的效果，其治疗作用可能独立于与雌激素受体的相互作用。