Neurosteroids and GABAA receptor interactions: A focus on stress

Benjamin G. Gunn, Adam R. Brown, Jeremy J. Lambert, Delia Belelli

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

97 Citations (Scopus)
206 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Since the pioneering discovery of the rapid CNS depressant actions of steroids by the "father of stress," Hans Seyle 70years ago, brain-derived "neurosteroids" have emerged as powerful endogenous modulators of neuronal excitability. The majority of the intervening research has focused on a class of naturally occurring steroids that are metabolites of progesterone and deoxycorticosterone, which act in a non-genomic manner to selectively augment signals mediated by the main inhibitory receptor in the CNS, the GABAA receptor. Abnormal levels of such neurosteroids associate with a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders, suggesting that they serve important physiological and pathophysiological roles. A compelling case can be made to implicate neurosteroids in stress-related disturbances. Here we will critically appraise how brain-derived neurosteroids may impact on the stress response to acute and chronic challenges, both pre- and postnatally through to adulthood. The pathological implications of such actions in the development of psychiatric disturbances will be discussed, with an emphasis on the therapeutic potential of neurosteroids for the treatment of stress-associated disorders.

Original languageEnglish
Article number131
Pages (from-to)1-20
Number of pages20
JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience
Volume5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 5 Dec 2011

Keywords

  • Allopregnanolone
  • Anxiety
  • HPA axis
  • Maternal care
  • Synaptic inhibition

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neuroscience(all)

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