Neuro-steroids: 3?-hydroxy-?(5)-derivatives in the rodent brain.
Pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone and their sulfate esters have been characterized in the rat brain. Their formation or accumulation depend on in situ mechanisms unrelated to the peripheral endocrine glands. Although their functions are still poorly understood, they may affect the brain by metabolism to sex steroid hormones and they may be functionally related to sexual behavior, possibly through direct modulations of the firing rates of neurons.
Robel
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CNRS ER 125 and INSERM U33, Lab Hormones, Faculté de Médecine, 94270 Bicêtre, France.
Baulieu
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EE