Early Postnatal Allopregnanolone Levels Alteration and Adult Behavioral Disruption in Rats: Implications for Drug Abuse

The document from May 1, 2020, discusses the impact of early postnatal allopregnanolone (AlloP) levels on adult rat behavior and the potential implications for drug abuse vulnerability. It suggests that changes in AlloP levels during the first weeks of life can influence behaviors associated with drug abuse risk, such as novelty exploration, and can affect the maturation of dopaminergic systems related to novelty seeking. The review also notes that alcohol consumption increases AlloP levels in both animals and humans. Furthermore, the study within the document found that neonatal administration of finasteride, which inhibits AlloP synthesis, resulted in increased alcohol consumption and altered dopamine and serotonin levels in adult rats. This suggests that early AlloP level alterations could be important for determining initial sensitivity to alcohol seeking behavior in adulthood. The study concludes that early postnatal AlloP levels play a significant role in adult alcohol intake and seeking behavior, and highlights the need for further research to understand the role of neurosteroids in drug abuse vulnerability.