Relationship between neurosteroids and neuropsychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression:research advances / 国际药学研究杂志

ABSTRACT

Neurosteroids are synthesized from cholesterol within the microglia of the central nervous system. They are classi?fied as dehydroepiandrosterone,progesterone,pregnenolone,allopregnanolone and other peripheral steroids. Neurosteroids such as al?lopregnanolone are positive allosteric modulators of GABAA receptors and exert anxiolytic and antidepressant-like behavior. Neuroac?tive steroids play a significant role in neurodevelopment in terms of internal environment homeostasis. This paper reviews the biosynthe?sis,metabolism regulatory effect on the response to stress and therapeutic potentials of neurosteroids.