title: Neuroactive steroid effects on cognitive functions with a focus on the serotonin and GABA systems.
abstract: This article will review neuroactive steroid effects on serotonin and GABA systems, along with the subsequent effects on cognitive functions. Neurosteroids (such as estrogen, progesterone, and allopregnanolone) are synthesized in the central and peripheral nervous system, in addition to other tissues. They are involved in the regulation of mood and memory, in premenstrual syndrome, and mood changes related to hormone replacement therapy, as well as postnatal and major depression, anxiety disorders, and Alzheimer's disease. Estrogen and progesterone have their respective hormone receptors, whereas allopregnanolone acts via the GABA(A) receptor. The action of estrogen and progesterone can be direct genomic, indirect genomic, or non-genomic, also influencing several neurotransmitter systems, such as the serotonin and GABA systems. Estrogen alone, or in combination with antidepressant drugs affecting the serotonin system, has been related to improved mood and well being. In contrast, progesterone can have negative effects on mood and memory. Estrogen alone, or in combination with progesterone, affects the brain serotonin system differently in different parts of the brain, which can at least partly explain the opposite effects on mood of those hormones. Many of the progesterone effects in the brain are mediated by its metabolite allopregnanolone. Allopregnanolone, by changing GABA(A) receptor expression or sensitivity, is involved in premenstrual mood changes; and it also induces cognitive deficits, such as spatial-learning impairment. We have shown that the 3beta-hydroxypregnane steroid UC1011 can inhibit allopregnanolone-induced learning impairment and chloride uptake potentiation in vitro and in vivo. It would be important to find a substance that antagonizes allopregnanolone-induced adverse effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Umeå University Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: Vita
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Birzniece
authors.forename: Torbjörn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bäckström
authors.forename: Inga-Maj
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lindblad
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lundgren
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Löfgren
authors.forename: Tommy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Olsson
authors.forename: Gianna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ragagnin
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taube
authors.forename: Sahruh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Turkmen
authors.forename: Göran
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wahlström
authors.forename: Ming-De
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Anna-Carin
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Wihlbäck
authors.forename: Di
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000378:metabolism; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D012701:Serotonin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid