Production of 5α-Reduced Neurosteroids Is Developmentally Regulated and Shapes GABA A Miniature IPSCs in Lamina II of the Spinal Cord

The study examined the role of 5α-reduced neurosteroids in modulating synaptic inhibition in the spinal cord's lamina II, focusing on GABA_A and glycine receptors in rats. It found that these neurosteroids were developmentally regulated, with high production in immature rats, contributing to slower decay of GABA_A receptor-mediated mIPSCs. In adults, neurosteroidogenesis could still be stimulated to modulate these receptors. The study highlighted the potential of neurosteroids to enhance synaptic inhibition and suggested the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor as a therapeutic target for managing spinal pain pathways.