Neonatal Finasteride Induces Anxiogenic-Like Profile and Deteriorates Passive Avoidance in Adulthood After Intrahippocampal Neurosteroid Administration

Neonatal administration of finasteride, a 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, led to anxiogenic-like behavior and decreased passive avoidance in adult rats after intrahippocampal neurosteroid administration. The study suggests that changes induced neonatally can have behavioral consequences in adulthood, in the reaction to emotional cues and also in the capability to learn experiences associated with high emotional stimuli, as punishment.