Neuroactive Steroids and Ethanol Exposure: Relevance to Ethanol Sensitivity and Alcohol Use Disorders Risk

The document from 2019 examines the role of neuroactive steroids, such as allopregnanolone and THDOC, in the brain's response to alcohol and their potential link to alcohol use disorders (AUD). It highlights that acute alcohol consumption can increase neuroactive steroid levels, which may contribute to alcohol's rewarding effects and protect against excessive drinking. However, chronic alcohol use can lead to a decrease in these levels, potentially increasing AUD risk. The document also notes that genetic variations affecting neuroactive steroid production may influence an individual's susceptibility to AUD. While the effects of ethanol on neuroactive steroid concentrations vary across species, brain regions, and types of exposure, the findings suggest that targeting neuroactive steroids could offer a new therapeutic approach for AUD. The number of participants in the studies referenced is not specified in the summary.