Pro- and anticonvulsant effects of stress: the role of neuroactive steroids.
The present review deals with findings related to the contribution of pro- and anticonvulsant effects of "neuroactive" steroids and the role of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor as a physiological target for naturally occurring steroids. Ways are discussed via which GABAergic neurotransmission can be enhanced or reduced following maneuvers that inflict stress. The duality of stress effects is emphasized in conjunction with different types of epileptogenesis (e.g., grand mal vs petit mal) that undergo dissimilar evolution. Among the issues covered are steroid-induced sedation and epileptogenicity, excitatory steroids, stress and epilepsy, GABA and respiratory functions, asymmetric brain injury, and psychopathology and stress.
Department of Psychology, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel.
M S
MS
Myslobodsky
D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013256:Steroids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000502:physiology
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D013256:Steroids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid