The Implication of Neuroactive Steroids in Tourette's Syndrome Pathogenesis: A Role for 5α-Reductase?

June 2013 in “ Journal of neuroendocrinology ”

Marco Bortolato, Roberto Frau, Sean C. Godar, Laura J. Mosher, S Paba, Francesco Marrosu, Paola Devoto

neuroactive steroids 5α-reductase Tourette's Syndrome tics genetic factors neurobiological factors environmental factors

TLDR Neuroactive steroids and the enzyme 5α-reductase might be involved in the development of Tourette's syndrome.

The document discussed the potential role of neuroactive steroids, particularly focusing on the enzyme 5α-reductase, in the pathogenesis of Tourette's Syndrome (TS). It reviewed various studies suggesting that alterations in neuroactive steroid levels might influence the severity and expression of tics in TS. The paper highlighted the complexity of TS, involving genetic, neurobiological, and environmental factors, and suggested that targeting neuroactive steroid pathways could offer new therapeutic approaches for managing TS symptoms.

View this study on europepmc.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

11 / 11 results

research Inhibition Of 5α-Reductase Attenuates Behavioral Effects Of D1-, But Not D2-Like Receptor Agonists In C57BL/6 Mice

42 citations , August 2012 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology”

Finasteride reduces certain behaviors caused by D1-like receptor agonists but not by D2-like receptor agonists in mice.

research Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Thoughts Among Former Users of Finasteride With Persistent Sexual Side Effects

134 citations , August 2012 in “The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry”

Former finasteride users with persistent sexual side effects have higher rates of depression and suicidal thoughts.

research Finasteride Attenuates Pathological Gambling in Patients With Parkinson's Disease

35 citations , April 2012 in “Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology”

Finasteride reduces gambling symptoms in Parkinson's patients.

research Neurosteroidogenesis Is Required for the Physiological Response to Stress: Role of Neurosteroid-Sensitive GABA-A Receptors

248 citations , December 2011 in “Journal of Neuroscience”

Neurosteroids are crucial for stress response, and targeting specific receptors may help treat certain disorders.

research Inhibition of 5α-Reductase in the Nucleus Accumbens Counters Sensorimotor Gating Deficits Induced by Dopaminergic Activation

53 citations , October 2011 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology”

Finasteride may help improve certain brain function issues linked to dopamine.

research A Preliminary Study of Finasteride in Tourette Syndrome

46 citations , May 2011 in “Movement Disorders”

Finasteride reduces Tourette syndrome symptoms, but results may be limited due to potential biases.

research Persistent Sexual Side Effects of Finasteride for Male Pattern Hair Loss

185 citations , March 2011 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

Finasteride for hair loss can cause long-lasting sexual side effects like low libido and erectile dysfunction.

research Steroid 5α-Reductase as a Novel Therapeutic Target for Schizophrenia and Other Neuropsychiatric Disorders

72 citations , January 2011 in “Current Pharmaceutical Design”

S5αR inhibitors might help treat schizophrenia and other mental disorders but need more research.

Adverse Side Effects of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Therapy: Persistent Diminished Libido, Erectile Dysfunction, and Depression in a Subset of Patients

research Adverse Side Effects of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Therapy: Persistent Diminished Libido, Erectile Dysfunction, and Depression in a Subset of Patients

223 citations , December 2010 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

Some patients taking finasteride or dutasteride may have ongoing sexual problems and depression even after stopping the medication.

research Antipsychotic-Like Properties of 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitors

64 citations , March 2008 in “Neuropsychopharmacology”

research Treatment of Tourette’s Syndrome With Finasteride

42 citations , December 2007 in “American Journal of Psychiatry”

Finasteride may effectively reduce Tourette's syndrome symptoms and improve life quality.

Similar Research

5 / 404 results

research Steroid 5α-Reductase as a Novel Therapeutic Target for Schizophrenia and Other Neuropsychiatric Disorders

72 citations , January 2011 in “Current Pharmaceutical Design”

S5αR inhibitors might help treat schizophrenia and other mental disorders but need more research.

research Repurposing Steroidogenesis Inhibitors for the Therapy of Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Promises and Caveats

10 citations , May 2018 in “Neuropharmacology”

Drugs for hormone-related conditions might help treat mental disorders but could have serious side effects.

Research Brief: Self-Reports of Persistent Antiandrogenic, Estrogenic, Physical, and Psychological Effects of Finasteride Usage Among Men

research Research Brief: Self-Reports of Persistent Antiandrogenic, Estrogenic, Physical, and Psychological Effects of Finasteride Usage Among Men

9 citations , January 2018 in “American Journal of Men's Health”

Finasteride use can cause lasting negative effects like sexual dysfunction, depression, anxiety, and cognitive issues.

research The 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride Reduces Dyskinesia in a Rat Model of Parkinson’s Disease

15 citations , January 2017 in “Experimental Neurology”

Finasteride reduces movement issues in Parkinson's disease rats.

research Inhibition Of 5α-Reductase Attenuates Behavioral Effects Of D1-, But Not D2-Like Receptor Agonists In C57BL/6 Mice

42 citations , August 2012 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology”

Finasteride reduces certain behaviors caused by D1-like receptor agonists but not by D2-like receptor agonists in mice.

The Implication of Neuroactive Steroids in Tourette's Syndrome Pathogenesis: A Role for 5α-Reductase?

Research cited in this study

research Inhibition Of 5α-Reductase Attenuates Behavioral Effects Of D1-, But Not D2-Like Receptor Agonists In C57BL/6 Mice

research Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Thoughts Among Former Users of Finasteride With Persistent Sexual Side Effects

research Finasteride Attenuates Pathological Gambling in Patients With Parkinson's Disease

research Neurosteroidogenesis Is Required for the Physiological Response to Stress: Role of Neurosteroid-Sensitive GABA-A Receptors

research Inhibition of 5α-Reductase in the Nucleus Accumbens Counters Sensorimotor Gating Deficits Induced by Dopaminergic Activation

research A Preliminary Study of Finasteride in Tourette Syndrome

research Persistent Sexual Side Effects of Finasteride for Male Pattern Hair Loss

research Steroid 5α-Reductase as a Novel Therapeutic Target for Schizophrenia and Other Neuropsychiatric Disorders

research Adverse Side Effects of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Therapy: Persistent Diminished Libido, Erectile Dysfunction, and Depression in a Subset of Patients

research Antipsychotic-Like Properties of 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitors

research Treatment of Tourette’s Syndrome With Finasteride

Related Community Posts Join

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 Finasteride does deplete important nuero-active steroids

community Proof that finasteride messes with neurosteroids

community risks with finasteride and dutasteride

community Finasteride and “anti-aging” effects

community What is the real impact of dutasteride on neurosteroids? A little review of 2 scientific datas

Similar Research

research Steroid 5α-Reductase as a Novel Therapeutic Target for Schizophrenia and Other Neuropsychiatric Disorders

research Repurposing Steroidogenesis Inhibitors for the Therapy of Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Promises and Caveats

research Research Brief: Self-Reports of Persistent Antiandrogenic, Estrogenic, Physical, and Psychological Effects of Finasteride Usage Among Men

research The 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride Reduces Dyskinesia in a Rat Model of Parkinson’s Disease

research Inhibition Of 5α-Reductase Attenuates Behavioral Effects Of D1-, But Not D2-Like Receptor Agonists In C57BL/6 Mice