Replacement with GABAergic Steroid Precursors Restores the Acute Ethanol Withdrawal Profile in Adrenalectomy/Gonadectomy Mice

December 2009 in “ Neuroscience ”

Kenton R. Kaufman, Michelle A. Tanchuck, Moriah N. Strong, Deborah A. Finn

neuroactive steroids adrenalectomy gonadectomy progesterone deoxycorticosterone finasteride 5α-reductase inhibitor GABAergic NAS ADX GDX PROG DOC FIN

TLDR GABAergic steroid precursors reduce ethanol withdrawal symptoms in certain mice.

The study examined the impact of neuroactive steroids (NAS) on ethanol withdrawal symptoms in mice that had undergone adrenalectomy and gonadectomy (ADX/GDX). It was observed that the removal of adrenal and gonadal sources of NAS heightened withdrawal severity, indicated by handling-induced convulsions (HICs) after ethanol exposure. Administering progesterone (PROG) and deoxycorticosterone (DOC) to ADX/GDX mice restored their withdrawal profile to that of intact animals, an effect that was inhibited by finasteride (FIN), a 5α-reductase inhibitor. These results suggested that the absence of GABAergic NAS increased withdrawal severity, underscoring the role of endogenous NAS in managing ethanol withdrawal.

View this study on ibroneuroscience.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

3 / 3 results

research Effects of Finasteride on Chronic and Acute Ethanol Withdrawal Severity in the WSP and WSR Selected Lines

21 citations , June 2005 in “Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research”

Finasteride reduces alcohol withdrawal severity and anxiety in mice, but may increase withdrawal severity in some cases.

research Stress-Induced Deoxycorticosterone-Derived Neurosteroids Modulate GABA A Receptor Function and Seizure Susceptibility

269 citations , May 2002 in “Journal of Neuroscience”

Stress increases neurosteroids that help prevent seizures.

research 5α-Reductase Inhibitors

17 citations , November 1997 in “Andrology”

Finasteride effectively treats enlarged prostate and male baldness, improves symptoms of hirsutism in women, but doesn't work for acne, and may delay prostate cancer progression with few side effects.

Related Research

1 / 1 results

research Relationships Between Cerebrospinal Fluid GABAergic Neurosteroid Levels and Symptom Severity in Men with PTSD

59 citations , November 2018 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology”

Lower levels of certain brain chemicals are linked to worse PTSD symptoms in men.

Replacement with GABAergic Steroid Precursors Restores the Acute Ethanol Withdrawal Profile in Adrenalectomy/Gonadectomy Mice

Research cited in this study

research Effects of Finasteride on Chronic and Acute Ethanol Withdrawal Severity in the WSP and WSR Selected Lines

research Stress-Induced Deoxycorticosterone-Derived Neurosteroids Modulate GABA A Receptor Function and Seizure Susceptibility

research 5α-Reductase Inhibitors

Related Community Posts Join

community Finasteride does deplete important nuero-active steroids

community 5 alpha reductase type 1 is in brain tissue producing the main endogenous gabaergic allopregnanolone, not 2. How can finasteride as a 5ar2 lower that?

community The safest way to use finasteride - my research

community Why do people here trust Kevin Mann?

community 22M started fin/min/dermaroller again after stopping for almost 2 years (2months progress)

community Proof that finasteride messes with neurosteroids

Related Research

research Relationships Between Cerebrospinal Fluid GABAergic Neurosteroid Levels and Symptom Severity in Men with PTSD