Neurosteroids

"The editors of have been involved with research on the subject for a long time and are among the pioneers in this field...This is one of the first books devoted entirely to neurosteroids, and many studies done in this field over the past 15 years are summarized...This is a unique text in the field of neurosteroids. It is based on research spanning many years and places the reader on the first step of studying these pharmacological agents that may be of important therapeutic value especially in neurotrophicity, behavior, and age-related cerebral dysfunction. This is a rediscovery of an exciting field of research for all neuroscientists..." Weighted Numerical Score: 96 - ****-Doody's Health Sciences Book Review Journal "This volume, edited by the discoverer and pioneers in neurosteroid research, contains 20 articles by eminent scholars that comprehensively review all aspects of research on neurosteroids...this is an excellent, comprehensive review that will be a tremendous asset to those who study neurosteroids, as well as their colleagues, students, and others who would like to learn what is known at present about these important neuroactive steroids. The timeliness and importance of this topic and the comprehensive nature of this volume make it a particularly valuable component of the Contemporary Endocrinology series." -Quarterly Review of Biology "There are so many interesting chapters in this monograph that deal with all aspects of the biology and pharmacology of the neurosteroids that it is impossible to give more than a superficial overview of the subject in this review. The editors have brought together most of the main players in the neurosteroid field and I would strongly recommend this volume to any experimental or clinical neuropharmacologist, who wishes to be informed about this growing area of neurosteroid research." - Human Phychopharmacology "The field of neurosteroids is relatively new and was largely defined by the editors of this multi-author book...There are several excellent review papers on the nomenclature and activities of steroids and their synthesizing enzymes. The family of cytochrome P450 enzymes is thoroughly dealt with." - Acta Neurologica Belgica "...a remarkable book, worth to come in the hands of all cellular and molecular biologists,...Its richness comes from the long experience of the authors and particularly of Beaulieu..." - Cellular and Molecular Biology "This monograph will be of great for endocrinologists, biochemists, pharmacologists, neurologists, psychiatrists and all those dealing with any functions of the nervous system and its integrative role." - Endocrine Regulations "This book avoids most of the usual pitfalls of multiauthor volumes: it has a theme, contemporary and relatively unexplored, and the chapters are well constructed, relevant and don't overlap too much. Packed with digestible information, it fully justifies its title. We are on the threshold of a new branch of neuroscience, and this is our travel guide." -Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience

• 1 Neurosteroids: From Definition and Biochemistry to Physiopathologic Function.- 2 Molecular Biology and Developmental Regulation of the Enzymes Involved in the Biosynthesis and Metabolism of Neurosteroids.- 3 Cytochrome P450 in the Central Nervous System.- 4 Steroidogenic Factor 1 Plays Key Roles in Adrenal and Gonadal Development and in Endocrine Function.- 5 Peripheral-Type Benzodiazepine Receptor: Role in the Regulation of Steroid and Neurosteroid Biosynthesis.- 6 Aspects of Hormonal Steroid Metabolism in the Nervous System.- 7 The Selective Interaction of Neurosteroids with the GABAA Receptor.- 8 Potentiation of GABAergic Neurotransmission by Steroids.- 9 Neurosteroid Antagonists of the GABAA Receptors.- 10 Modulation of Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors by Neuroactive Steroids.- 11 Steroidal Modulation of Sigma Receptor Function.- 12 Steroid Modulation of the Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor.- 13 Neuroactive Steroid Modulation of Neuronal Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels.- 14 Gonadal Hormone Regulation of Synaptic Plasticity in the Brain: What Is the Mechanism?.- 15 Steroid Effects on Brain Plasticity: Role of Glial Cells and Trophic Factors.- 16 Steroid Receptors in Brain Cell Membranes.- 17 Novel Mechanisms of Estrogen Action in the Developing Brain: Role of Steroid/Neurotrophin Interactions.- 18 Neurosteroids: Behavioral Studies.- 19 Remarkable Memory-Enhancing Effects of Pregnenolone Sulfate with Pheromone-Like Sensitivity: An Amplificatory Hypothesis.- 20 The Neuropsychopharmacological Potential of Neurosteroids.