TLDR Ethanol-induced motor incoordination in rats is not affected by increased neuroactive steroids.
The study investigated whether the elevation of GABAergic neuroactive steroids, specifically 3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one (3α,5α-THP), contributed to ethanol-induced motor incoordination in rats. Ethanol administration increased 3α,5α-THP levels significantly in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus but not in the cerebellum and midbrain. Despite these increases, motor incoordination peaked shortly after ethanol administration and was not affected by interventions such as adrenalectomy or finasteride treatment, which inhibit neuroactive steroid synthesis. The findings concluded that while ethanol elevates neuroactive steroids in a region-specific manner, these steroids did not mediate the motor incoordination effects of ethanol.
47 citations
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November 2002 in “Journal of Neurochemistry” Progesterone boosts alcohol's effect on brain, finasteride counters it.
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March 2020 in “Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology” The enzymes 5α-reductase and 3α/β-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase help create brain-active substances from progesterone and testosterone, which could be used for treatment, but more research is needed to ensure their safety and effectiveness.
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123 citations
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December 2015 in “Journal of Neuroendocrinology” New targets for making and using brain-synthesized steroids could lead to better treatments for brain disorders and alcoholism.
