Steroids, spinal cord and pain sensation.

Abstract

During the whole life, the nervous system is continuously submitted to the actions of different categories of hormones, including steroids. Therefore, the interactions between hormonal compounds and neural tissues are subjected to intense investigations. While a majority of studies focus on the brain, the spinal cord (SC) has received little attention, although this structure is also an important part of the central nervous system, controlling motor and sensory functions. To point out the importance of interactions between hormones and the SC in the regulation of neurobiological activities, we recapitulated and discussed herein various key data, revealing that the pivotal role played by the SC in nociception and pain modulation, directly depends on the SC ability to metabolize and synthesize steroidal molecules. The paper suggests that future investigations aiming to develop effective strategies against chronic pain, must integrate regulatory effects exerted by hormonal steroids on the SC activity, as well as the actions of endogenous neurosteroids locally synthesized in spinal neural networks.

• Authors: Christine Patte-Mensah, Laurence Meyer, Ayikoe Guy Mensah-Nyagan
• Journal: Hormone molecular biology and clinical investigation (Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig) Vol. 7 Issue 3 Pg. 377-84 (Oct 01 2011) ISSN: 1868-1883 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 25961339 (Publication Type: Journal Article)