Steroid action in neural and neuroendrocine systems.
Five papers were presented at the symposium on new aspects of steroid action on neural and neuroendocrine systems which was held within the framework of the Fifth International Brain Research Organization's (IBRO) World Congress of Neuroscience, held from 11-15 July 1999. The symposium was organized and chaired by Gabor Makara (Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary). Results from behavioral, endocrinological, cellular, molecular and neuroanatomical aspects of steroid actions in the brain were used to illustrate that steroid hormones can influence neural function by both rapid (cell membrane-mediated) and slower (gene transcription-dependent) mechanisms. The data reported were discussed in the context of their significance to brain physiology and pathophysiology, and consideration was given to particular aspects which could be of relevance to the use of steroids for the prevention and treatment of brain disorders.
Almeida
O F
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Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroendocrinology, Kraepelinstr 2-10, W-880804 Munich, Germany. osa@mpipsykl.mpg.de