Targeting Neurosteroid Synthesis as a Therapy for Schizophrenia-Related Alterations Induced by Early Psychosocial Stress

The study explored the use of finasteride (FIN), a 5α-reductase inhibitor, as a potential treatment for schizophrenia-related symptoms induced by early psychosocial stress in rats. The researchers found that FIN improved prepulse inhibition (PPI) deficits in isolation-reared (IR) rats without affecting socially reared (SR) controls. The treatment also altered neurosteroid profiles in the nucleus accumbens and striatum, particularly increasing pregnenolone levels, which may contribute to its antipsychotic-like effects. The study involved 43 male rats and suggested that targeting neurosteroid synthesis could be a promising approach for treating schizophrenia-related alterations. However, the study had limitations, including a focus on specific brain regions and the absence of direct PPI testing and steroid profile analyses in other areas of the brain or plasma.