Neurosteroid Influence on Affective Tone

This review explores the role of neurosteroids in affective disorders like depression and anxiety, highlighting the recent FDA approval of Brexanolone (ZULRESSO®) as a novel antidepressant. While most studies focus on exogenous neurosteroids, the review emphasizes the need to understand endogenous neurosteroids, which are synthesized from cholesterol or steroid hormone precursors, in modulating affective tone. It summarizes existing clinical and preclinical research on neurosteroids' impact on affective states and presents recent evidence suggesting that endogenous neurosteroids may establish a baseline affective tone.