Neuroactive steroids, also known as
neurosteroids, are
endogenous or exogenous
steroids that rapidly alter
neuronal excitability through interaction with
ligand-gated ion channels and other
cell surface receptors. The term
neurosteroid was coined by the French
physiologist Étienne-Émile Baulieu and refers to steroids synthesized in the brain. The term,
neuroactive steroid refers to steroids that can be synthesized in brain or are synthesized by an endocrine gland that then reach the brain through the bloodstream and have effects on brain function. The term neuroactive steroids was first coined in 1992 by Steven Paul and Robert Purdy . In addition to their actions on neuronal membrane receptors, some of these steroids may also exert effects on
gene expression via nuclear
steroid hormone receptors. Neurosteroids have a wide range of potential clinical applications from
sedation to treatment of
epilepsy and
traumatic brain injury.
Ganaxolone, a synthetic analog of the endogenous neurosteroid
allopregnanolone, is under investigation for the treatment of epilepsy.
