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

Studysummary This review discusses the sex differences in neuroactive steroid synthesis and their implications for nervous system functions and potential therapeutic approaches, but it provides no new experimental results.

Automatically generated from the study's abstract, not written by a person, and not a review of the full paper. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Read the original study, and consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

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

59 citations , November 2018 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology”

This study suggests that cerebrospinal fluid levels of the neurosteroids allopregnanolone and pregnanolone correlate negatively with PTSD and negative mood symptoms, with potential sex-specific differences in synthesis enzyme blocks.

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”

This study found that both finasteride and dutasteride significantly reduced L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia in a rat model of Parkinson's disease, with dutasteride showing greater effectiveness at lower doses.

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”

This study found that finasteride treatment in male rats led to enduring effects on depressive-like behavior, hippocampal neurogenesis and neuroinflammation, and gut microbiota composition after withdrawal.

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

10 citations , May 2018 in “Neuropharmacology”

This study suggests that inhibitors of steroidogenic enzymes may have therapeutic potential for certain behavioral disorders linked to dopaminergic hyperfunction, despite concerns about their endocrine impacts.

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

40 citations , April 2018 in “Endocrine”

This review discusses post-SSRI sexual dysfunction and post-finasteride syndrome, highlighting unknowns about their true incidence and underlying causes, and reports no new clinical results.

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

14 citations , March 2018 in “Translational Stroke Research”

In this animal study, researchers found that finasteride may offer neuroprotective benefits as a post-ischemic treatment for strokes in aged male rats, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent in this context.

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

14 citations , February 2018 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology”

This study found that male 5α-reductase 2 knockout mice showed deficits in social dominance behaviors and reduced dopamine receptor binding in a brain region related to social ranking.

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”

This study found that dutasteride may offer neuroprotection in early-stage Parkinson's disease by preventing loss of striatal dopamine and altering steroid levels in MPTP-lesioned mice.

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”

This study found that patients with post-finasteride syndrome exhibited major depressive disorder, severe erectile dysfunction, and neuropathy, alongside altered neuroactive steroid levels in cerebrospinal fluid.

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”

This study found no evidence of androgen deficiency or decreased peripheral androgen action in men with persistent sexual symptoms after finasteride use, but identified links to depressed mood and abnormal brain function.

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

16 citations , September 2016 in “Neuropharmacology”

This study suggests that in an ex vivo rat glaucoma model, TSPO activation is involved in Allopregnanolone synthesis and may help prevent retinal damage, with TSPO agonists as potential therapeutic agents.

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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”

This study found that men experiencing long-term symptoms after finasteride use for androgenetic alopecia frequently reported loss of penis sensitivity and anhedonia, among other effects, indicating potential post-finasteride syndrome.

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”

This review discusses recent strategies targeting the neuroactive steroid biosynthetic pathway to enhance neurosteroidogenesis, highlighting their potential benefits for neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases, but reports no new clinical findings.

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”

This study found that subchronic finasteride treatment in male rats altered neuroactive steroid levels and steroid receptor expression in the brain, with some changes persisting after drug withdrawal.

research Neo-Synthesis of Estrogenic or Androgenic Neurosteroids Determine Whether Long-Term Potentiation or Depression Is Induced in Hippocampus of Male Rat

32 citations , October 2015 in “Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience”

This study found that in male rat hippocampal slices, DHT is necessary for low frequency stimulation-induced long-term depression, while E2 synthesis is essential for high frequency stimulation-induced long-term potentiation.

research Adverse Effects of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors: What Do We Know, Don't Know, and Need to Know?

111 citations , August 2015 in “Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders”

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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”

This study found that Dutasteride, a 5α-reductase inhibitor, demonstrated neuroprotective effects by preventing the MPTP-induced decline of dopaminergic markers in a Parkinson's disease mouse model.

research New Steps Forward in the Neuroactive Steroid Field

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

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186 citations , February 2015 in “Frontiers in Neuroscience”

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Midazolam Ameliorates the Behavioral Deficits of a Rat Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Model Through Dual 18 kDa Translocator Protein and Central Benzodiazepine Receptor and Neurosteroidogenesis

research Midazolam Ameliorates the Behavioral Deficits of a Rat Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Model Through Dual 18 kDa Translocator Protein and Central Benzodiazepine Receptor and Neurosteroidogenesis

56 citations , July 2014 in “PLoS ONE”

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

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

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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”

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

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

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

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research Mechanism of Progesterone Neuroprotection of Rat Cerebellar Purkinje Cells Following Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation

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This study reports that progesterone metabolism to DHP and THP is necessary for its neuroprotective effect against kainic acid excitotoxicity in ovariectomized rats, unlike the synthetic progestin MPA.