Neuroactive Steroids in Brain Function, Behavior and Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Novel Strategies for Research and Treatment / Edition 1

by Abraham Weizman

Overview

Over the past few decades the involvement of neurosteroids in brain function and mental health has attracted much interest, not only from a neuroscience perspective, but also from clinical and therapeutic aspects. In recent years, much of the research has focused on the multifunctional position of neurosteroids in the nervous system. The areas that have been explored, in particular, are the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the activity of neurosteroids in the brain, the role of neurosteroids in brain development, neurodegeneration and neuroplasticity, and their pharmacological properties. The large increase in the number of publications highlights this amplified interest in neurosteroids. Over the last 7 years at least 400 papers have been published describing the putative role of neurosteroids in the modulation of basic brain function and in the etiology and treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders. Contributors to this book are amongst the most active basic researchers and c- nicians in the field and provide new perspectives not only clarifying some of the ongoing controversies, but also proposing diverse aspects and new insights. The book is organized in two major sections: “Neuroactive steroids and brain function’, and ‘Neuroactive steroids and neuropsychiatric disorders”. Though the selection of topics has been influenced by the current state of the art and the issues that require further elaboration, one should not assume that these are the only significant issues at this time.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781402068539
Publisher:	Springer Netherlands
Publication date:	03/27/2008
Edition description:	2008
Pages:	564
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.10(d)

Table of Contents

Neuroactive Steroids and Brain Functions.- Neurosteroid: Molecular Mechanisms of Action on the GABAA Receptor.- Steroid Metabolism in Glial Cells.- Involvement of Neuroactive Steroids in Hippocampal Disorders: Lessons from Animal Models.- Estrogen Modulation of Visceral Nociception.- Neuroactive Steroids: Effects on Cognitive Functions.- Estrogen, Cholinergic System and Cognition.- Local Production of Estrogen and its Rapid Modulatory Action on Synaptic Plasticity.- Effects of Estradiol and DHEA on Morphological Synaptic Plasticity.- Pregnane Steroids and Short-Term Neural Plasticity.- Steroidogenesis and Neuroplasticity in the Songbird Brain.- Dehydroepiandrosterone, as Endogenous Inhibitor of Neuronal Cell Apoptosis: Potential Therapeutic Implications in Neurodegenerative Diseases.- DHEA and DHEA-S, and their Functions in the Brain and Adrenal Medulla.- Neurosteroids in the Aging Brain.- Neuroactive Steroids and Neuropsychiatric Disorders.- Dehydroepiandrosterone and Pregnenolone Alterations in Schizophrenia.- Neurosteroids in Cortical Development and the Etiology of Schizophrenia.- Neurosteroid Perturbation and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Schizophrenia: From the Mechanisms to the Treatment.- Dehydroepiandrosterone Administration in Treating Medical and Neuropsychiatric Disorders.- Allopregnanolone and Pregnenolone Alterations Following Pharmacological Agents in Rodents and Clinic Populations.- Reconsidering Classifi cations of Depression Syndromes: Lessons from Neuroactive Steroids and Evolutionary Sciences.- Neuroactive Steroids in Brain and Relevance to Mood.- The Role of Neuroactive Steroids in Anxiety Disorders.- The Role of Midbrain 3',5'-THP in Mediating Exploration, Anxiety, Social, and Reproductive Behavior.- The Role of Progesterone and its Metabolites inPremenstrual Disorders of Affect.- Neurosteroid Derangement in Women Diagnosed with Eating Disorders.- Neurosteroids in Alcohol and Substance Use.- The Role of Neurosteroids in Development of Pediatric Psychopathology.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Michael Schrift, DO (University of Washington School of Medicine)
Description: This is a first rate book on an exciting area: steroids and the brain. The book details how neurosteroids are involved in all facets of brain function from the molecular to the behavioral level. Written and edited by active researchers involved in this area of study, this book is a must for anyone interested in keeping abreast of this exploding field.
Purpose: The purpose is to "broaden the knowledge and deepen the understanding of the complex role of neurosteroids in the regulation of brain functions and in the physiology and pharmacotherapy of neuropsychiatric disorders." Indeed, the editors and chapter authors have accomplished their goal.
Audience: The targeted audience includes clinicians, researchers, and students.
Features: Part 1 covers neuroactive steroids and brain functions and include such topics as neurosteroids and GABA-A receptor, glial cells, hippocampal disorders, cognitive functions, estrogen and the cholinergic system, synaptic plasticity, neuroplasticity in the songbird brain, in apoptosis and degenerative brain diseases, DHEA, DHEA-S and the brain, and in the aging brain. Neuropsychiatric disorders are covered in part 2 with excellent reviews of schizophrenia, depression and mood, anxiety, menstrual related disorders, social and reproductive behavior, eating disorders, alcohol and substance use, and pediatric psychopathology. All chapters end with citations of the relevant scientific literature. The index is helpful as well. Although this is a multiauthored book, the chapters are well written and even in quality.
Assessment: This is an excellent, comprehensive book covering an important and emerging area of neuropsychiatric research. Anyone wishing to stay up to date on neurosteroids would benefit from reading it.

Doody's Review Service

From the reviews:

"This is a first rate book on an exciting area: steroids and the brain. … Written and edited by active researchers involved in this area of study, this book is a must for anyone interested in keeping abreast of this exploding field. … The targeted audience includes clinicians, researchers, and students. … This is an excellent, comprehensive book covering an important and emerging area of neuropsychiatric research. Anyone wishing to stay up to date on neurosteroids would benefit from reading it." (Michael J. Schrift, Doody’s Review Service, July, 2008)

"Neuroactive Steroids in Brain Function, Behavior, and Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Novel Strategies for Research and Treatment provides reviews on neurosteroid mechanisms of action, their role in brain function, and their probable therapeutic as well as contributory roles to neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. … is recommended for researchers interested in neurosteroids but also for clinicians who are able to devote enough time and attention to the material." (Catherine C. Price, PsycCRITIQUES, Vol. 53 (51), December, 2008)

From the Publisher