1. Involvement of Neuroactive Steroids in Pain, Depression and Anxiety
- Author
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Katherine, Mifflin, Curtis, Benson, Bradley, Kerr, Feyza, Aricioglu, Mesut, Cetin, Serdar, Dursun, and Glen, Baker
- Subjects
Male ,Depressive Disorder, Major ,Neurotransmitter Agents ,Animals ,Humans ,Neuralgia ,Female ,Steroids ,Receptors, GABA-A ,Anxiety Disorders ,Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate - Abstract
Comorbidity between major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety (generalized anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder) and pain is a major complicating factor in the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders. Although numerous neurotransmitters and/or neuromodulators may be involved, abnormalities in the GABAergic and glutamatergic systems seem to be a common factor in all these disorders. Neuroactive steroids (NASs) have been the object of considerable interest in this area in recent years since they appear to act predominantly on GABA-A and glutamate NMDA receptors. An overview of the possible involvement of NASs in MDD, anxiety and pain is provided in this chapter.
- Published
- 2015