Using an antibody against 5α-reduced neurosteroids, predominantly allopregnanolone, we found that immunostaining in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices was confined to pyramidal neurons. This neurosteroid staining was increased following 15 min administration of 60 mm but not 20 mm ethanol, and the enhancement was blocked by finasteride and dutasteride, selective inhibitors of 5α-reductase...

The neurosteroids allopregnanolone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) are integral components of the stress response and exert positive modulatory effects on emotion in both human and animal studies. Although these antidepressant and anxiolytic effects have been well established, to date, little research has examined their neural correlates, and no research has been conducted into the effects of...

The steroids allopregnanolone and allotetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (3alpha,5alpha-THDOC) are positive allosteric modulators of GABA(A) receptors, generated by the reduction of 5alpha-dihydroprogesterone (5alpha-DHP) and 5alpha-DHDOC, respectively, under the catalysis of human type 3 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD). However, brain enzymes catalyzing the conversion of such tetrahydrost...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of a low-dose DHEA supplementation on hormonal parameters in early and late postmenopausal women. DESIGN Prospective case study. SETTING Postmenopausal women in a clinical research environment. PATIENT(S) Twenty postmenopausal women were divided in two groups according to age (50-55 and 60-65 years). INTERVENTION(S) All patients underwent hormonal evalu...

The search for a "magic bullet" drug targeting a single receptor for the treatment of stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI) has failed thus far for a variety of reasons. The pathophysiology of ischemic brain injury and TBI involves a number of mechanisms leading to neuronal injury, including excitotoxicity, free radical damage, inflammation, necrosis, and apoptosis. Brain injury also triggers ...