1.
Neuroactive steroids are
steroid hormones that exert rapid, nongenomic effects at
ligand-gated ion channels. There is increasing awareness of the possible role of these
steroids in the pathology and manifestation of symptoms of
psychiatric disorders. The aim of this paper is to review the current knowledge of
neuroactive steroid functioning in the central nervous system, and to assess the role of
neuroactive steroids in the pathophysiology and treatment of symptoms of
schizophrenia, depression, and
anxiety disorders. Particular emphasis will be placed on GABAA receptor modulation, given the extensive knowledge of the interactions between this receptor complex,
neuroactive steroids, and
psychiatric illness. 2. A brief description of
neuroactive steroid metabolism is followed by a discussion of the interactions of
neuroactive steroids with acute and chronic stress and the HPA axis. Preclinical and clinical studies related to
psychiatric disorders that have been conducted on
neuroactive steroids are also described. 3. Plasma concentrations of some
neuroactive steroids are altered in individuals suffering from
schizophrenia, depression, or
anxiety disorders compared to values in healthy controls. Some drugs used to treat these disorders have been reported to alter plasma and brain concentrations in clinical and preclinical studies, respectively. 4. Further research is warranted into the role of
neuroactive steroids in the pathophysiology of
psychiatric illnesses and the possible role of these
steroids in the successful treatment of these disorders.