Depletion of Cortical Allopregnanolone Potentiates Stress-Induced Increase in Cortical Dopamine Output

In this study, researchers found that in freely moving rats, the administration of finasteride significantly reduced the cortical content of allopregnanolone, a neurosteroid. This reduction prolonged the increase in extracellular dopamine concentration in the prefrontal cortex when the rats were subjected to foot shock, a stress-inducing stimulus. Additionally, finasteride enhanced both the maximal increase and duration of dopamine release triggered by the anxiogenic drug FG 7142. These findings suggested that endogenous allopregnanolone played a role in modulating the excitatory response of cortical dopaminergic neurons to stress and anxiety-inducing stimuli.