TLDR Ethanol withdrawal reduces the brain's response to certain calming steroids, making seizures harder to control.
The study investigated the effects of neurosteroid manipulations in the substantia nigra reticulata (SNR) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) on ethanol (EtOH) withdrawal in male Withdrawal Seizure-Prone mice (WSP-1). Researchers found that allopregnanolone (ALLO) infusion had a strong anticonvulsant effect in EtOH-naïve mice but showed reduced efficacy during EtOH withdrawal. Conversely, finasteride (FIN) administration into the SNR delayed proconvulsant effects in EtOH-naïve mice, while infusion into the VTA prolonged EtOH withdrawal. The study concluded that EtOH withdrawal decreased the sensitivity of GABAARs to GABAergic neurosteroids in these brain regions, indicating a behavioral tolerance to ALLO's anticonvulsant effects during withdrawal.
21 citations
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September 2008 in “Brain Research” Neurosteroids in the brain can increase or decrease seizure risk in mice.
34 citations
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April 2007 in “Neuroscience” Finasteride reduces alcohol withdrawal severity in male mice but increases it in female mice.
137 citations
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March 2006 in “Cns Drug Reviews” Finasteride treats enlarged prostate and hair loss, but may cause side effects in some patients.
Finasteride, a medication, is being re-evaluated for its effects and uses.
21 citations
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February 2005 in “Epilepsy & Behavior” 83 citations
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January 2004 in “Pharmacology & Therapeutics” Adjusting neurosteroid levels may help reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
48 citations
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February 1999 in “PubMed” Finasteride, a drug, can block the seizure-preventing effects of a hormone called progesterone in mice.
2 citations
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December 2019 in “Neurobiology of Stress” Changing allopregnanolone levels in baby rats affects their adult behavior and alcohol use.
65 citations
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January 2011 in “Frontiers in Endocrinology” Neurosteroids show promise for treating epilepsy and more research is needed.
Early NAS level changes affect alcohol consumption vulnerability.
24 citations
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December 2013 in “Sexual medicine reviews” Finasteride can cause sexual problems and depression in young men.
61 citations
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January 2008 in “Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin” Finasteride almost fully depletes allopregnanolone in rat brains and enhances 20α-DHP, but doesn't change 3α-DHP levels.
32 citations
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May 2010 in “Pharmacopsychiatry” Finasteride reduces new brain cells in male mice, possibly causing depression.
