Acute Effects of Estradiol Administration on Brain Function During Fear Learning

The goal of current study is to better understand how fear is processed in the brain and how these processes are influenced by cognition and hormones. This research will focus specifically on postmenopausal female adults, because age-related changes in cognition and declining estrogen levels may contribute to anxiety symptoms and PTSD risk later in life.

Inclusion Criteria: * post-menopausal * normal or corrected-to-normal vision * English speaking * stable medication use (no changes in the past three months) Exclusion Criteria: * use of hormone therapy containing synthetic estrogen * MRI contraindications (e.g., irremovable ferrous metal in body, claustrophobia) * history of neurological disorder (including mild cognitive impairment) or moderate to severe traumatic brain injury * use of antipsychotic, opiate, or mood stabilizer (i.e., lithium) medication * history of blood clots/deep vein thrombosis, prior stroke or TIA, uncontrolled hypertension * history of migraine with aura * severe liver disease * history of breast, endometrial, or ovarian cancer * smoking \>10 cigarettes/day