Neuroactive steroid

Neuroactive steroids, also known as neurosteroids, are endogenous or exogenous steroids that rapidly alter neuronal excitability through interaction with ligand-gated ion channels and other cell surface receptors. The term neurosteroid was coined by the French physiologist Étienne-Émile Baulieu and refers to steroids synthesized in the brain. The term, neuroactive steroid refers to steroids that can be synthesized in brain or are synthesized by an endocrine gland that then reach the brain through the bloodstream and have effects on brain function. The term neuroactive steroids was first coined in 1992 by Steven Paul and Robert Purdy. In addition to their actions on neuronal membrane receptors, some of these steroids may also exert effects on gene expression via nuclear steroid hormone receptors. Neurosteroids have a wide range of potential clinical applications from sedation to treatment of epilepsy and traumatic brain injury.Ganaxolone, a synthetic analog of the endogenous neurosteroid allopregnanolone, is under investigation for the treatment of epilepsy.

Based on differences in activity and structure, neurosteroids can be categorized into several different groupings. The most important neurosteroids are bolded below.

These neurosteroids exert inhibitory actions on neurotransmission. They act as positive allosteric modulators of the GABA_A receptor (especially δ subunit-containing isoforms), and possess, in no particular order, antidepressant, anxiolytic, stress-reducing, rewarding,prosocial,antiaggressive,prosexual,sedative, pro-sleep,cognitive and memory-impairing,<reference needed>, analgesic,anesthetic, anticonvulsant, neuroprotective, and neurogenic effects.

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