59 citations
,
November 2018 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology” Lower levels of certain brain chemicals are linked to worse PTSD symptoms in men.
123 citations
,
May 2009 in “Journal of Neuroscience” In late pregnancy, allopregnanolone reduces stress responses in rats by affecting brain chemicals.
136 citations
,
January 2004 in “Neuroscience” Testosterone increases seizure risk through its conversion to specific neurosteroids.
19 citations
,
April 2017 in “Synapse” Blocking allopregnanolone production in mice makes them more anxious after stress, but this can be reversed with a drug that mimics allopregnanolone.
28 citations
,
October 2011 in “British Journal of Pharmacology” Midazolam's seizure prevention is partly due to increased neurosteroid production.
18 citations
,
January 2013 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology” Neonatal neurosteroid levels affect adult brain function and behavior.
14 citations
,
October 2016 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology” Finasteride affects brain processes related to neurotransmission and metabolism, potentially helping with neuropsychiatric conditions.
11 citations
,
October 2010 in “Behavioural Brain Research” Early neurosteroid changes can alter adult brain function and behavior.
21 citations
,
September 2008 in “Brain Research” Neurosteroids in the brain can increase or decrease seizure risk in mice.
97 citations
,
December 2010 in “Journal of Neuroscience” Midazolam impairs learning and memory by increasing neurosteroids through specific receptor activation.
82 citations
,
July 2011 in “Journal of Neuroscience” Ethanol boosts brain steroid production by activating NMDA receptors, affecting memory formation.
32 citations
,
May 2010 in “Pharmacopsychiatry” Finasteride reduces new brain cells in male mice, possibly causing depression.
25 citations
,
June 2017 in “Scientific reports” Stress worsens Tourette symptoms by increasing allopregnanolone levels.
19 citations
,
January 2012 in “Frontiers in Neural Circuits” Neurosteroids and benzodiazepines reduce neuron excitability, with lasting effects on inhibitory neurons.
12 citations
,
April 2018 in “Physiology & Behavior” Finasteride raises suicide-linked aggression and stops clozapine's positive effects in schizophrenia animals.
6 citations
,
February 2019 in “Scientific reports” A brain-produced steroid causes increased scratching in mice with a skin condition similar to eczema.
4 citations
,
April 2017 in “F1000Research” Mitochondrial problems in diabetic nerve damage might cause pain by lowering the production of certain nerve-related steroids.
1 citations
,
March 2018 in “F1000Research” Diabetic neuropathy in mice is linked to poor mitochondria function and lower brain hormone production.
180 citations
,
June 2004 in “Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics” Progesterone's seizure-reducing effects are mainly due to allopregnanolone, not progesterone receptors.
75 citations
,
January 2014 in “Korean Journal of Urology” 5α-reductase inhibitors can cause sexual problems, higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer, and depression.
48 citations
,
February 2013 in “Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology” The protein StAR is found in 17 different organs and can affect hair loss and brain functions, but its full role is not yet fully understood.
27 citations
,
June 2013 in “Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research” Finasteride use may lead to less alcohol consumption in men with lasting sexual side effects.
25 citations
,
November 2013 in “PLoS ONE” Estrogen and androgen signals control synaptic changes in rat brains.
19 citations
,
September 2006 in “Journal of Neurophysiology” Neurosteroids help balance brain signals when certain inhibitions are reduced.
13 citations
,
January 2020 in “Neuroscience” Blocking 5α-reductase can harm memory and brain structure, and increase harmful brain changes in male mice used for Alzheimer's disease research.
6 citations
,
April 2015 in “Behavioural Brain Research” Finasteride worsens stress effects on sensory processes, possibly linking to anxiety/depression.
2 citations
,
December 2019 in “Neurobiology of Stress” Changing allopregnanolone levels in baby rats affects their adult behavior and alcohol use.
January 2026 in “Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience” Neurosteroids like neuro-estrogen and neuro-androgen are crucial for brain function and can improve cognition and protect against aging-related decline.
May 2025 in “Neuropharmacology” Finasteride reduced seizures and prevented cognitive issues in rats after neonatal asphyxia but increased anxiety later.
Neurosteroids help regulate oxytocin levels, especially during stress and pregnancy, to protect against premature labor.