Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Adina F. Turcu, Lili Zhao, Xuan Chen, Rebecca Yang, Juilee Rege, William E. Rainey, Johannes D. Veldhuis, Richard J. Auchus
Summary: The study revealed distinct circadian and age variations of 11-oxyandrogens, PregS, and 17OHPregS, which should be considered when using them as clinical biomarkers.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Irene Vuu, Edward E. Patterson, Chun-Yi Wu, Dorota Zolkowska, Ilo E. Leppik, Michael A. Rogawski, Gregory A. Worrell, Vaclav Kremen, James C. Cloyd, Lisa D. Coles
Summary: This study characterizes the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of allopregnanolone, providing a basis for designing clinical studies evaluating its effectiveness as an early treatment for status epilepticus in dogs and people.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY AND EXPERIMENTAL THERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Hiroshi Arinami, Yutaro Suzuki, Misuzu Tajiri, Nobuto Tsuneyama, Toshiyuki Someya
Summary: Lower estradiol levels were associated with male MDD symptoms and functioning scores, while higher IGF1 levels and cortisol:DHEAS ratio were found in patients. DHEAS levels were lower in patients. Estradiol may play a role in the pathology and severity of male MDD, with a correlation with DHEAS levels.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michal Kaleta, Jana Oklestkova, Ondrej Novak, Miroslav Strnad
Summary: Neuroactive steroids are a family of compounds that can affect nervous system functions, synthesized in either the nervous system or peripheral endocrine tissues. Monitoring the production and levels of neuroactive steroids can be beneficial for the prevention, diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases. Immunoanalytical methods and chromatography combined with mass spectrometry are highlighted as relevant techniques for analyzing neuroactive steroids.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Eva Dolejsi, Nikolai Chetverikov, Eszter Szanti-Pinter, Dominik Nelic, Alena Randakova, Vladimir Dolezal, Esam E. El-Fakahany, Eva Kudova, Jan Jakubik
Summary: Endogenous neurosteroids and their synthetic analogues, known as neuroactive steroids, bind to muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and modulate acetylcholine binding and function. Radioligand binding experiments show that neuroactive steroids bind to two different affinity sites on the receptors, with each site having a unique binding profile compared to other allosteric modulators. Additionally, membrane cholesterol competes with neurosteroids/neuroactive steroids binding, indicating that both binding sites are oriented towards the cell membrane.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Thiraphat Saengmearnuparp, Bannakij Lojanapiwat, Nipon Chattipakorn, Siriporn Chattipakorn
Summary: Recent literature has linked 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) with neuropsychiatric adverse effects, with former users showing a higher incidence of depressive symptoms. The mechanisms behind this association, known as post finasteride syndrome (PFS), are not yet fully understood. Possible mechanisms include alterations in neuroactive steroids, dopaminergic dysfunction, reduced hippocampal neurogenesis, increased neuroinflammation, alterations in the HPA axis, and epigenetic modifications.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ewa Szczurowska, Eszter Szanti-Pinter, Alena Randakova, Jan Jakubik, Eva Kudova
Summary: Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors are membrane receptors involved in various physiological processes, and dysfunction of their signaling is associated with internal diseases and psychiatric/neurologic conditions. Steroidal compounds, besides their genomic effects, can also modulate membrane proteins including muscarinic acetylcholine receptors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Sik Yu So, Tor C. Savidge
Summary: This review focuses on how neuroactive steroids modulate enteric nervous system function by influencing receptors in the intestine. The potential role of the gut microbiota in modulating neuroactive steroid signaling along the gut-brain axis is also highlighted.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-GASTROINTESTINAL AND LIVER PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Pantelis Antonoudiou, Phillip L. W. Colmers, Najah L. Walton, Grant L. Weiss, Anne C. Smith, David P. Nguyen, Mike Lewis, Michael C. Quirk, Lea Barros, Laverne C. Melon, Jamie L. Maguire
Summary: The study demonstrates that allopregnanolone and its neuroactive steroid analogs modulate network states in different species, with a key role in the basolateral amygdala. These steroids alter behavioral states by influencing oscillatory activities, protecting mice from chronic stress-induced disruptions in network and behavioral states.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Shibani S. Mukerji, Vikas Misra, David R. Lorenz, Sukrutha Chettimada, Kiana Keller, Scott Letendre, Ronald J. Ellis, Susan Morgello, Robert A. Parker, Dana Gabuzda
Summary: This study found that in HIV-infected individuals receiving ART, depressive symptoms were associated with lower levels of neuroactive steroids, suggesting altered neuroactive steroid metabolism may contribute to the pathophysiological mechanisms of depression.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Allison Kimball, Caitlin Colling, Melanie S. Haines, Erinne Meenaghan, Kamryn T. Eddy, Madhusmita Misra, Karen K. Miller
Summary: This study aimed to investigate whether serum DHEAS can predict weight gain and increase in fat mass in women with AN. The results showed that higher DHEAS levels predicted weight gain over 6 months, as well as increases in fat mass, appendicular lean mass, and abdominal adipose tissue. These findings are of significance in improving prognostication and guiding therapeutic decision making for AN patients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nemanja Useinovic, Stefan Maksimovic, Michelle Near, Nidia Quillinan, Vesna Jevtovic-Todorovic
Summary: Since its invention, general anesthesia has been crucial in modern surgery. However, concerns about the negative effects of anesthetics on the developing brain have been raised through preclinical studies and clinical evidence. Further understanding the molecular basis of anesthesia-induced neurotoxicity is important for developing protective strategies and ensuring safe usage during critical stages of brain development.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Peter M. Lambert, Xinguo Lu, Charles F. Zorumski, Steven Mennerick
Summary: The rise of ketamine and brexanolone as rapid antidepressant treatments has prompted research into their common mechanisms. These drugs have distinct characteristics compared to traditional antidepressants in terms of onset time and duration of effect. Based on existing studies, network disinhibition and increased high-frequency oscillations are potential mechanisms underlying the acute effects of rapid antidepressants.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marie-Pierre Moisan
Summary: Chronic stress has negative effects on human health, and there are gender differences in glucocorticoid stress responses, especially in the impact of early life stress on long-term glucocorticoid stress responses.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Raphael Hirtz, Lars Libuda, Anke Hinney, Manuel Focker, Judith Buhlmeier, Paul-Martin Holterhus, Alexandra Kulle, Cordula Kiewert, Berthold P. Hauffa, Johannes Hebebrand, Corinna Grasemann
Summary: Preliminary evidence suggests that adrenal steroids other than cortisol may be valuable biomarkers for major depressive disorder (MDD). This study aimed to evaluate adrenal steroids as biomarkers for adolescent MDD and found that the adrenal steroid metabolome reflects adolescent MDD by indicating dysfunction of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)