Sex Differences in Steroid Levels and Steroidogenesis in the Nervous System: Physiopathological Role

November 2019 in “ Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology ”

Silvia Giatti, Silvia Diviccaro, Melania Maria Serafini, Donatella Caruso, Luis M. García‐Segura, Bárbara Viviani, Roberto Cosimo Melcangi

neuroactive steroids neurosteroidogenesis progesterone neurosteroidogenic enzymes neuroinflammation

TLDR Men and women have different levels and production of brain steroids, which may affect their risk for certain brain disorders.

The document from 2020 discussed the role of neuroactive steroids in the nervous system, highlighting that their synthesis and levels show sex differences. It was found that neurosteroidogenesis is a sexually differentiated process, with brain progesterone levels and its metabolites being higher in pseudopregnant female rats than in males. The document also noted that neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders show sex differences in incidence, with Alzheimer's disease and Multiple Sclerosis being higher in females, while Parkinson's disease and stroke are higher in males. Altered levels of neuroactive steroids and neurosteroidogenic enzymes were detected in post-mortem brain tissue of Alzheimer’s disease patients. The document concluded that neuroactive steroids represent promising protective agents for neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, and suggested neuroinflammation as a possible target for sex-specific therapy based on neuroactive steroids.

View this study on air.unimi.it →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

21 / 21 results

research Relationships Between Cerebrospinal Fluid GABAergic Neurosteroid Levels and Symptom Severity in Men with PTSD

59 citations, November 2018 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology”

Lower levels of certain brain chemicals are linked to worse PTSD symptoms in men.

5alpha-Reductase Inhibitors Dampen L-DOPA-Induced Dyskinesia via Normalization of Dopamine D1-Receptor Signaling Pathway and D1-D3 Receptor Interaction

research 5alpha-Reductase Inhibitors Dampen L-DOPA-Induced Dyskinesia via Normalization of Dopamine D1-Receptor Signaling Pathway and D1-D3 Receptor Interaction

26 citations, September 2018 in “Neurobiology of Disease”

Finasteride and dutasteride reduce unwanted movements from Parkinson's disease treatment by normalizing certain brain signals.

Treatment of Male Rats with Finasteride, an Inhibitor of 5alpha-Reductase Enzyme, Induces Long-Lasting Effects on Depressive-Like Behavior, Hippocampal Neurogenesis, Neuroinflammation, and Gut Microbiota Composition

research Treatment of Male Rats with Finasteride, an Inhibitor of 5alpha-Reductase Enzyme, Induces Long-Lasting Effects on Depressive-Like Behavior, Hippocampal Neurogenesis, Neuroinflammation, and Gut Microbiota Composition

37 citations, September 2018 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology”

Finasteride treatment in male rats causes long-lasting effects on depression-like behavior, brain cell growth, inflammation, and gut bacteria composition.

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 Post-Finasteride Syndrome and Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction: Two Sides of the Same Coin?

40 citations, April 2018 in “Endocrine”

PFS and PSSD are similar conditions with persistent sexual dysfunction after stopping medication.

research The 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride Exerts Neuroprotection Against Ischemic Brain Injury in Aged Male Rats

14 citations, March 2018 in “Translational Stroke Research”

Finasteride helps protect brain in old male rats.

research Steroid 5α-Reductase 2 Deficiency Leads to Reduced Dominance-Related and Impulse-Control Behaviors

14 citations, February 2018 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology”

Mice lacking steroid 5α-reductase 2 show less aggression and better impulse control.

research Effect of the 5α-Reductase Enzyme Inhibitor Dutasteride in the Brain of Intact and Parkinsonian Mice

16 citations, October 2017 in “Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology/The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology”

Dutasteride may protect the brain in early Parkinson's disease.

research Neuroactive Steroid Levels and Psychiatric and Andrological Features in Post-Finasteride Patients

58 citations, April 2017 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology”

Post-finasteride patients show changed neuroactive steroid levels, possibly causing erectile dysfunction and depression.

research Characteristics of Men Who Report Persistent Sexual Symptoms After Finasteride Use for Hair Loss

50 citations, September 2016 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Finasteride for hair loss may cause persistent sexual symptoms, depression, anxiety, and lower quality of life.

research TSPO Activation Modulates the Effects of High Pressure in a Rat Ex Vivo Glaucoma Model

16 citations, September 2016 in “Neuropharmacology”

Activating TSPO helps protect the retina from damage caused by high eye pressure in glaucoma.

An Observational Retrospective Evaluation of 79 Young Men with Long-Term Adverse Effects After Use of Finasteride Against Androgenetic Alopecia

research An Observational Retrospective Evaluation of 79 Young Men with Long-Term Adverse Effects After Use of Finasteride Against Androgenetic Alopecia

43 citations, January 2016 in “International Journal of Andrology”

Finasteride caused long-term sexual and non-sexual side effects in young men with hair loss.

Neurosteroidogenesis Today: Novel Targets for Neuroactive Steroid Synthesis and Action and Their Relevance for Translational Research

research Neurosteroidogenesis Today: Novel Targets for Neuroactive Steroid Synthesis and Action and Their Relevance for Translational Research

123 citations, December 2015 in “Journal of Neuroendocrinology”

New targets for making and using brain-synthesized steroids could lead to better treatments for brain disorders and alcoholism.

research Effects of Subchronic Finasteride Treatment and Withdrawal on Neuroactive Steroid Levels and Their Receptors in the Male Rat Brain

33 citations, December 2015 in “Neuroendocrinology”

Finasteride treatment changes brain steroid levels and receptors, affecting brain function even after stopping treatment.

research The 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Dutasteride but Not Finasteride Protects Dopamine Neurons in the MPTP Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease

27 citations, May 2015 in “Neuropharmacology”

Dutasteride protects dopamine neurons in Parkinson's mice, but Finasteride doesn't.

research New Steps Forward in the Neuroactive Steroid Field

31 citations, March 2015 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology”

Neuroactive steroids could become safe, effective treatments with more understanding of their complex brain actions and metabolism.

Patients Treated for Male Pattern Hair Loss with Finasteride Show Altered Levels of Neuroactive Steroids in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma After Discontinuation

research Patients Treated for Male Pattern Hair Loss with Finasteride Show Altered Levels of Neuroactive Steroids in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma After Discontinuation

61 citations, April 2014 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology”

Finasteride affects brain and blood steroids, causing lasting sexual and emotional side effects.

research Dutasteride Reduces Alcohol’s Sedative Effects in Men in a Human Laboratory Setting and Reduces Drinking in the Natural Environment

32 citations, February 2014 in “Psychopharmacology”

Dutasteride makes alcohol less sedating and may lead to less drinking in men.

Neuroactive Steroid Levels Are Modified in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma of Post-Finasteride Patients Showing Persistent Sexual Side Effects and Anxious/Depressive Symptomatology

research Neuroactive Steroid Levels Are Modified in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma of Post-Finasteride Patients Showing Persistent Sexual Side Effects and Anxious/Depressive Symptomatology

73 citations, July 2013 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

Finasteride use changes brain chemicals, causing lasting sexual issues and anxiety/depression.

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 Persistent Sexual Side Effects of Finasteride: Could They Be Permanent?

112 citations, July 2012 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

Finasteride may cause long-lasting sexual side effects.

Similar Research

5 / 319 results

Physiopathological Role of the Enzymatic Complex 5α-Reductase and 3α/β-Hydroxysteroid Oxidoreductase in the Generation of Progesterone and Testosterone Neuroactive Metabolites

research Physiopathological Role of the Enzymatic Complex 5α-Reductase and 3α/β-Hydroxysteroid Oxidoreductase in the Generation of Progesterone and Testosterone Neuroactive Metabolites

18 citations, March 2020 in “Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology”

The enzymes 5α-reductase and 3α/β-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase help create brain-active substances from progesterone and testosterone, which could be used for treatment, but more research is needed to ensure their safety and effectiveness.

research Neurosteroidogenesis Today: Novel Targets for Neuroactive Steroid Synthesis and Action and Their Relevance for Translational Research

123 citations, December 2015 in “Journal of Neuroendocrinology”

New targets for making and using brain-synthesized steroids could lead to better treatments for brain disorders and alcoholism.

Sex Differences in Steroid Levels and Steroidogenesis in the Nervous System: Physiopathological Role

Research cited in this study

research Relationships Between Cerebrospinal Fluid GABAergic Neurosteroid Levels and Symptom Severity in Men with PTSD

research 5alpha-Reductase Inhibitors Dampen L-DOPA-Induced Dyskinesia via Normalization of Dopamine D1-Receptor Signaling Pathway and D1-D3 Receptor Interaction

research Treatment of Male Rats with Finasteride, an Inhibitor of 5alpha-Reductase Enzyme, Induces Long-Lasting Effects on Depressive-Like Behavior, Hippocampal Neurogenesis, Neuroinflammation, and Gut Microbiota Composition

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

research Post-Finasteride Syndrome and Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction: Two Sides of the Same Coin?

research The 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride Exerts Neuroprotection Against Ischemic Brain Injury in Aged Male Rats

research Steroid 5α-Reductase 2 Deficiency Leads to Reduced Dominance-Related and Impulse-Control Behaviors

research Effect of the 5α-Reductase Enzyme Inhibitor Dutasteride in the Brain of Intact and Parkinsonian Mice

research Neuroactive Steroid Levels and Psychiatric and Andrological Features in Post-Finasteride Patients

research Characteristics of Men Who Report Persistent Sexual Symptoms After Finasteride Use for Hair Loss

research TSPO Activation Modulates the Effects of High Pressure in a Rat Ex Vivo Glaucoma Model

research An Observational Retrospective Evaluation of 79 Young Men with Long-Term Adverse Effects After Use of Finasteride Against Androgenetic Alopecia

research Neurosteroidogenesis Today: Novel Targets for Neuroactive Steroid Synthesis and Action and Their Relevance for Translational Research

research Effects of Subchronic Finasteride Treatment and Withdrawal on Neuroactive Steroid Levels and Their Receptors in the Male Rat Brain

research The 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Dutasteride but Not Finasteride Protects Dopamine Neurons in the MPTP Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease

research New Steps Forward in the Neuroactive Steroid Field

research Patients Treated for Male Pattern Hair Loss with Finasteride Show Altered Levels of Neuroactive Steroids in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma After Discontinuation

research Dutasteride Reduces Alcohol’s Sedative Effects in Men in a Human Laboratory Setting and Reduces Drinking in the Natural Environment

research Neuroactive Steroid Levels Are Modified in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma of Post-Finasteride Patients Showing Persistent Sexual Side Effects and Anxious/Depressive Symptomatology

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

research Persistent Sexual Side Effects of Finasteride: Could They Be Permanent?

Related Community Posts Join

community The safest way to use finasteride - my research

community Proof that finasteride messes with neurosteroids

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

community Why is Kevin Mann (Haircafe) Hated?

community This community was super helpful to me a while ago, but it feels so good to be off finasteride

community Transient and Permanent Effects of Finasteride Use

Similar Research

research Physiopathological Role of the Enzymatic Complex 5α-Reductase and 3α/β-Hydroxysteroid Oxidoreductase in the Generation of Progesterone and Testosterone Neuroactive Metabolites

research Neurosteroidogenesis Today: Novel Targets for Neuroactive Steroid Synthesis and Action and Their Relevance for Translational Research

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

research The Steroidogenesis Inhibitor Finasteride Reduces the Response to Both Stressful and Rewarding Stimuli

research Post-Finasteride Syndrome: An Emerging Clinical Problem