OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown that neuroactive steroids modulate anxiety and stress reactivity. However, no data on the possible role of these gamma-aminobutyric acid(A) (GABA(A)) receptor-modulating neuroactive steroids in patients with anxiety disorders are available. METHOD: The concentrations of 3alpha,5alpha-tetrahydroprogesterone (3alpha,5alpha-THP), 3alpha,5beta-THP, 3beta,5alpha-THP, and their precursors were studied in the plasma of 10 patients with panic disorder and 10 matched healthy comparison subjects. In addition, the effects of paroxetine treatment on neuroactive steroid concentrations were studied in the panic disorder patients over a 24-week period. RESULTS: Unexpectedly, patients with panic disorder had significantly greater concentrations of the positive allosteric modulators 3alpha,5alpha-THP and 3alpha,5beta-THP and significantly lower concentrations of 3beta,5alpha-THP (a functional antagonist for GABA(A) agonistic steroids), which might result in greater GABA(A) receptor-mediated neuronal activity. Paroxetine treatment did not affect neuroactive steroid concentrations, which were highly stable over 24 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in neuroactive steroid composition in patients with panic disorder were the opposite of those seen in patients with major depression and may reflect counterregulative mechanisms against the occurrence of spontaneous panic attacks.
OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown that neuroactive steroids modulate anxiety and stress reactivity. However, no data on the possible role of these gamma-aminobutyric acid(A) (GABA(A)) receptor-modulating neuroactive steroids in patients with anxiety disorders are available. METHOD: The concentrations of 3alpha,5alpha-tetrahydroprogesterone (3alpha,5alpha-THP), 3alpha,5beta-THP, 3beta,5alpha-THP, and their precursors were studied in the plasma of 10 patients with panic disorder and 10 matched healthy comparison subjects. In addition, the effects of paroxetine treatment on neuroactive steroid concentrations were studied in the panic disorderpatients over a 24-week period. RESULTS: Unexpectedly, patients with panic disorder had significantly greater concentrations of the positive allosteric modulators 3alpha,5alpha-THP and 3alpha,5beta-THP and significantly lower concentrations of 3beta,5alpha-THP (a functional antagonist for GABA(A) agonistic steroids), which might result in greater GABA(A) receptor-mediated neuronal activity. Paroxetine treatment did not affect neuroactive steroid concentrations, which were highly stable over 24 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in neuroactive steroid composition in patients with panic disorder were the opposite of those seen in patients with major depression and may reflect counterregulative mechanisms against the occurrence of spontaneous panic attacks.
Authors: Jason B Cook; Stephanie M Nelli; Mackenzie R Neighbors; Danielle H Morrow; Todd K O'Buckley; Antoniette M Maldonado-Devincci; A Leslie Morrow Journal: Neuropsychopharmacology Date: 2014-02-25 Impact factor: 7.853
Authors: Borwin Bandelow; David Baldwin; Marianna Abelli; Blanca Bolea-Alamanac; Michel Bourin; Samuel R Chamberlain; Eduardo Cinosi; Simon Davies; Katharina Domschke; Naomi Fineberg; Edna Grünblatt; Marek Jarema; Yong-Ku Kim; Eduard Maron; Vasileios Masdrakis; Olya Mikova; David Nutt; Stefano Pallanti; Stefano Pini; Andreas Ströhle; Florence Thibaut; Matilde M Vaghi; Eunsoo Won; Dirk Wedekind; Adam Wichniak; Jade Woolley; Peter Zwanzger; Peter Riederer Journal: World J Biol Psychiatry Date: 2016-07-15 Impact factor: 4.132
Authors: Olga V Belyaeva; Sergei V Chetyrkin; Amy L Clark; Natalia V Kostereva; Karen S SantaCruz; Bibie M Chronwall; Natalia Y Kedishvili Journal: Endocrinology Date: 2007-02-08 Impact factor: 4.736