Endogenous neuroprotective factors: neurosteroids.
Neurosteroids are a group of steroid hormones synthesized by the brain in the presence of steroidogenic enzymes. Specific neurosteroids modulate function of several receptors, and also regulate growth of neurons, myelinization and synaptogenesis in the central nervous system. Some neurosteroids have been shown to display neuroprotective properties, which may have important implications for their potential use in the treatment of various neuropathologies such as: age-dependent dementia, stroke, epilepsy, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and Niemann-Pick type C disease (NP-C). This paper focuses on neuroprotection afforded by neurosteroids.
Wojtal
Katarzyna
K
Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University, Jaczewskiego 8, PL 20-090 Lublin, Poland.
Trojnar
Michał K
MK
Czuczwar
Stanisław J
SJ
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000494:pharmacology; D018757:GABA Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D052556:Niemann-Pick Disease, Type C / Q000503:physiopathology; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology; D011284:Pregnenolone / Q000502:physiology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000502:physiology; D013256:Steroids / Q000502:physiology*
D018757:GABA Modulators; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D013256:Steroids; D011374:Progesterone; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D011284:Pregnenolone