TLDR Neurosteroids like allopregnanolone help control cell death and growth in the developing fetal brain.
The study investigated the role of the neurosteroid allopregnanolone (AP) in regulating cell death and proliferation in the late gestation fetal brain using fetal sheep. Researchers inhibited AP synthesis with finasteride, a 5α-reductase type 2 inhibitor, and observed increased apoptosis in the hippocampus and cerebellum, which was mitigated by co-infusion with the AP analogue alfaxalone. Finasteride also increased cell proliferation, primarily in astrocytes. These findings suggested that neurosteroids like AP played a significant role in brain development by influencing apoptosis and proliferation rates in the fetal brain.
100 citations
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April 2007 in “Neuroscience” Reducing neurosteroid levels worsens brain injury in fetal sheep.
36 citations
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June 2001 in “Neuroscience Letters” Finasteride may affect fetal brain development and increase arousal, but more research is needed for safety confirmation.
75 citations
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January 2014 in “Korean Journal of Urology” 5α-reductase inhibitors can cause sexual problems, higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer, and depression.
40 citations
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December 2019 in “Neurobiology of Stress” Neuroactive steroids show promise for treating mental and neurological disorders by targeting GABA_A receptors.
32 citations
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September 2010 in “Stress” Neurosteroids help protect fetal brains from asphyxia damage.
63 citations
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December 2010 in “Journal of Endocrinology” Reduced neurosteroids and growth issues can harm fetal brain development, especially in males.
18 citations
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September 2021 in “Journal of Neuroendocrinology” Neurosteroids can influence behavior by modulating brain inhibition, with potential for treating psychiatric disorders.
