Endogenous neuroprotective factors: neurosteroids.

Abstract

Neurosteroids are a group of steroid hormones synthesized by the brain in the presence of steroidogenic enzymes. Specific neurosteroids modulate function of several receptors, and also regulate growth of neurons, myelinization and synaptogenesis in the central nervous system. Some neurosteroids have been shown to display neuroprotective properties, which may have important implications for their potential use in the treatment of various neuropathologies such as: age-dependent dementia, stroke, epilepsy, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and Niemann-Pick type C disease (NP-C). This paper focuses on neuroprotection afforded by neurosteroids.

• Authors: Katarzyna Wojtal, Michał K Trojnar, Stanisław J Czuczwar
• Journal: Pharmacological reports : PR (Pharmacol Rep) 2006 May-Jun Vol. 58 Issue 3 Pg. 335-40 ISSN: 1734-1140 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 16845207 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• GABA Modulators
• Neuroprotective Agents
• Steroids
• Progesterone
• Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
• Pregnenolone

Topics

• Alzheimer Disease (physiopathology)
• Animals
• Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (pharmacology)
• GABA Modulators (pharmacology)
• Humans
• Neuroprotective Agents
• Niemann-Pick Disease, Type C (physiopathology)
• Parkinson Disease (physiopathology)
• Pregnenolone (physiology)
• Progesterone (physiology)
• Steroids (physiology)