Alterations in Neonatal Neurosteroids Affect Exploration During Adolescence and Prepulse Inhibition in Adulthood

The study investigated the effects of neonatal neurosteroid alterations on adolescent exploration and adult prepulse inhibition (PPI) in 111 male Wistar rats. It was found that inhibiting neonatal allopregnanolone (AlloP) synthesis using finasteride from postnatal days 5 to 9 reduced novelty-directed exploratory behavior during adolescence (at 40 and 60 days of age). This suggests that early-life neurosteroid levels play a crucial role in brain development and subsequent behavior. The study also explored the role of the GABAA modulator midazolam in these long-lasting behavioral changes, highlighting the importance of neurosteroids in neurodevelopment.