Endogenous neuroprotective factors: neurosteroids.
Journal Title: Pharmacological Reports - Year 2006, Vol 58, Issue 3
Abstract
Neurosteroids are a group of steroid hormones synthesized by the brain in the presence of steroidogenic enzymes. Specific neurosteroids modulate function of several receptors,and also regulate growth of neurons, myelinization and synaptogenesis in the central nervous system. Some neurosteroids have been shown to display neuroprotective properties, which may have important implications for their potential use in the treatment of various neuropathologies such as: age-dependent dementia, stroke, epilepsy, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and Niemann-Picktype C disease (NP-C). This paper focuses on neuroprotection afforded by neurosteroids.
Authors and Affiliations
Katarzyna Wojtal, Michał Trojnar, Stanisław Czuczwar
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