What do we need to know about neurosteroids and emotions?

Flavia di Michele; Elena Romeo; Flavia di Michele; Elena Romeo

doi:10.3934/molsci.2023006

AIMS Molecular Science

2023, Volume 10, Issue 2: 70-78. doi: 10.3934/molsci.2023006

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Editorial Special Issues

What do we need to know about neurosteroids and emotions?

Flavia di Michele ^{1
,
,},
Elena Romeo ²

1.
Policlinico Tor Vergata Foundation, Dept. Psychiatry; Neuropsychoendocrinology Lab IRCCS S. Lucia, Rome, Italy
2.
Bocconi University, Milan, Italy

Received: 28 November 2022 Revised: 14 February 2023 Accepted: 01 March 2023 Published: 13 March 2023

Neurosteroids are essential endogenous compounds which modulate numerous brain-related functions. Neurosteroids affect both the excitatory (glutamate) and the inhibitory (γ-aminobutyric acid, GABA) systems in the brain allowing for the modulation of a wide array of emotions and behaviors. Their synthesis is increased in response to stress, helping the organism to return to homeostasis. Alterations of neurosteroid concentrations therefore have a role in the pathophysiology of stress and stress-related conditions, such as mood (therefore acting on sadness and anger) and anxiety (fear) disorders. Here, we summarize the action of some neuroactive compounds, such as allopregnanolone, pregnanolone, pregnenolone, pregnenolone sulfate and dehydroepiandrosterone, in regulating emotions and outline their current pharmacological use in different pathologies.
- neurosteroids,
- emotions,
- 3α,5α-THP,
- GABAA receptors
Citation: Flavia di Michele, Elena Romeo. What do we need to know about neurosteroids and emotions?[J]. AIMS Molecular Science, 2023, 10(2): 70-78. doi: 10.3934/molsci.2023006

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Abstract

Neurosteroids are essential endogenous compounds which modulate numerous brain-related functions. Neurosteroids affect both the excitatory (glutamate) and the inhibitory (γ-aminobutyric acid, GABA) systems in the brain allowing for the modulation of a wide array of emotions and behaviors. Their synthesis is increased in response to stress, helping the organism to return to homeostasis. Alterations of neurosteroid concentrations therefore have a role in the pathophysiology of stress and stress-related conditions, such as mood (therefore acting on sadness and anger) and anxiety (fear) disorders. Here, we summarize the action of some neuroactive compounds, such as allopregnanolone, pregnanolone, pregnenolone, pregnenolone sulfate and dehydroepiandrosterone, in regulating emotions and outline their current pharmacological use in different pathologies.

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Dr. Luchetti S. for her impressive research in the field of neuroactive steroids, and Dr. Cichetti D. for his first contribution to a scientific debate.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this manuscript.

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