E2 administration resulted in anxiogenic behaviors when dietary isoflavones were present. E2 administration resulted in anxiolytic and anti-depressive like behaviors when dietary isoflavones were not present. BDNF expression increased after E2 administration when animals were fed an isoflavone-rich diet. BDNF expression in the amygdala and hypothalamus was increased after E2 treatment in animals fed an isoflavone-rich diet.