Steroids, neuroactive steroids and neurosteroids in psychopathology.

The term "neurosteroid" (NS) was introduced by Baulieu in 1981 to name a steroid hormone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), that was found at high levels in the brain long after gonadectomy and adrenalectomy, and shown later to be synthetized by the brain. Later, androstenedione, pregnenolone and their sulfates and lipid derivatives as well as tetrahydrometabolites of progesterone (P) and deoxycorticosterone (DOC) were identified as neurosteroids. The term "neuroactive steroid" (NAS) refers to steroids which, independent of their origin, are capable of modifying neural activities.

Effects of Intracortical Microstimulation and Vestibular Stimulation on Pelvic Floor Muscles in the Cat.

Experimental anatomical data in primates and transcranial stimulation of the motor cortex in humans indicate that this region projects to pelvic floor musculature. We investigated this problem in intact, anesthetized cats with intracortical microstimulation (ICMS). Further, we explored the characteristics of projection to pelvic floor muscles from the lateral vestibular nucleus of the brainstem.

Effects of intracortical microstimulation and vestibular stimulation on pelvic floor muscles in the cat.

Experimental anatomical data in primates and transcranial stimulation of the motor cortex in humans indicate that this region projects to pelvic floor musculature. We investigated this problem in intact, anesthetized cats with intracortical microstimulation (ICMS). Further, we explored the characteristics of projection to pelvic floor muscles from the lateral vestibular nucleus of the brainstem.

Effects of 5 alpha-dihydrocorticosterone on evoked responses and long-term potentiation.

The effect of a Ring A-reduced metabolite of corticosterone, 5 alpha-dihydrocorticosterone (DHB) on long-term potentiation (LTP) in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the rat were studied in barbiturate-anaesthetised animals. It was observed that DHB significantly impairs the development of LTP, more particularly the population spike (PS) component of the evoked potential (EP) to perforant path (PP) stimulation. Nutralipid, an inert control solvent of the steroid, did not affect LTP development.