TLDR Early changes in brain chemicals affect how a drug reduces alcohol intake in rats.
The study investigated the effects of early post-natal neuroactive steroid (NS) manipulation on alcohol consumption and novelty-seeking behavior in adult male Wistar rats. The researchers administered allopregnanolone (AlloP), finasteride, or a vehicle to newborn rats and later assessed their alcohol intake and response to the 5HT3 antagonist, ondansetron. Results showed that early post-natal finasteride administration increased novelty-seeking behavior but generally reduced overall exploration levels. Additionally, finasteride-treated rats exhibited increased alcohol consumption during the initial periods of intake, suggesting that early NS manipulation could alter 5HT3 receptor function and influence alcohol-related behaviors.
7 citations
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May 2017 in “Behavioural brain research” Changing neuroactive steroid levels early in life can affect how adult rats respond to alcohol's stimulating effects.
3 citations
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August 2016 in “Behavioural Brain Research” Finasteride given to baby rats reduces dopamine release and increases alcohol consumption in adult males.
34 citations
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April 2014 in “Psychopharmacology” Stress and alcohol affect brain chemicals differently in rats, mice, and humans, influenced by genetic differences.
17 citations
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February 2014 in “The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology” 
61 citations
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September 2008 in “Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin” Finasteride almost fully depletes allopregnanolone in rat brains and enhances 20α-DHP, but doesn't change 3α-DHP levels.
2 citations
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December 2019 in “Neurobiology of Stress” Changing allopregnanolone levels in baby rats affects their adult behavior and alcohol use.
Early NAS level changes affect alcohol consumption vulnerability.
6 citations
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February 2019 in “Scientific reports” A brain-produced steroid causes increased scratching in mice with a skin condition similar to eczema.
January 2017 in “Elsevier eBooks” Stress and hormones like progesterone can affect absence seizures, but their effects change with different life stages.
12 citations
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January 2013 in “Alcohol and Alcoholism” Alcohol in teen years leads to more adult drinking, finasteride doesn't help.
