The endogenic neurosteroid system and its role in the pathogenesis and therapy of mental disorders

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18413/rrpharmacology.9.10015

Abstract

Introduction: Although neurosteroids have been relatively recently discovered, their significant role in the neurochemical processes and pathogenesis of a number of psychiatric and neurological disorders is now quite clear. First of all, it seems important to clarify the definition of the endogenous neurosteroids as a class of steroids, taking into account the variability of approaches to their description. Currently, neurosteroids include endogenous steroids synthesized in the central nervous system, gonads, or adrenal glands and interacting with GABAA, NMDA, and sigma-1 receptors.

Neurosteroid biosynthesis: Biosynthesis of neurosteroids begins with rate-limiting reaction of TSPO binding cholesterol and transporting it into the mitochondria, where pregnenolone is synthesized following the cytochrome P450scc (CYP11A1) impact.

Interaction with GABAА, NMDA and sigma-1 receptors: According to the experimental data, neurosteroids act as the most highly potent endogenous allosteric modulators of the GABA receptor; some types of neurosteroids (ALLO, DHEA, etc.) can produce a rapid anxiolytic and anticonvulsant effect. There is some experimental evidence for antipsychotic effects of some neurosteroids realized through NMDA receptors: intracerebral administration of ALLO to laboratory animals can prevent further appearance of motor agitation and other equivalents of psychosis after administration of high doses of amphetamines. It has also been proven in several studies on animal models that neurosteroids exhibit anxiolytic effects through sigma-1 receptors.

Conclusion: The article describes the process of neurosteroidogenesis and the effect of neurosteroids on listed receptorsin accordance with already available scientific data. In addition, this paper describes the specific role of various neurosteroids in the development of mental illnesses, including anxiety disorders, depression, and schizophrenia

Graphical Abstract mceclip0-29ed85b227487e4544d0887277c63378.png

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

allopregnanolone, GABAA-receptors, DHEA, NMDA-receptors, pregnenolone, sigma-1 receptors, steroidogenesis, TSPO

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Author Contribution

Sakeena P. Bairamova, Serbsky National Medical Research Center of Psychiatry and Narcology

Assistant of The Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Department of Fundamental and Applied Neurobiology, e-mail: bairamova23s@gmail.com, ORCID ID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8099-2091 (synthesis of literature data, writing the article).

Dmitry S. Petelin, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation,

 PhD in Medicine, Assistant Professor at The Department of Psychiatry and Psychosomatics, e-mail: petelinhome1@yandex.ru, ORCID ID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2228-6316 (synthesis of literature data, writing the article).

Roman V. Akhapkin, Serbsky National Medical Research Center of Psychiatry and Narcology

Dr Habilit. in Medicine, Deputy Director for Research, e-mail: 4ahapkin@gmail.com, ORCID ID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7045-0547 (development of the idea of the review paper, editing the manuscript).

Nikita V. Kudryashov, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

PhD in Biology, Assistant Professor at The Department of Pharmacology, e-mail: kudryashov_n_v@staff.sechenov.ru, ORCID ID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1819-1867 (development of the idea of the manuscript, editing the manuscript).

Olga Yu. Sorokina, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

 PhD in Medicine, Head of Psychotherapy Department, e-mail: sorokina_o_yu@staff.sechenov.ru, ORCID ID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8863-8241 (search and analysis of literature).

Sergey A. Semin, “Spaseniye” Psychiatric Hospital

Psychiatrist at “Spaseniye” Psychiatric Hospital, e-mail: semockin171@mail.ru, ORCID ID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0061-1798 (search and analysis of literature).

Veronika Panfilova, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Undergraduate Student of The Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, e-mail: verapanfilovaaa@gmail.com, ORCID ID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0890-9185 (search and analysis of literature).

Beatrice A. Volel, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Grand PhD in Medicine, Director of N.V. Sklifosovsky Institute of Clinical Medicine, e-mail: volel@gmail.com, ORCID ID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1667-5355 (general supervision of writing the article, editing the final manuscript).

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31-03-2023

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Bairamova SP, Petelin DS, Akhapkin RV, Kudryashov NV, Sorokina OY, Semin SA, Panfilova V, Volel BA (2023) The endogenic neurosteroid system and its role in the pathogenesis and therapy of mental disorders. Research Results in Pharmacology 9(1): 61–69. https://doi.org/10.18413/rrpharmacology.9.10015

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Vol. 9 No. 1 (2023)

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Pharmacological reviews

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