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Sex, stress and steroids
Ying Sze1, Paula J Brunton1,2
1Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
The European Journal of Neuroscience
|November 10, 2019
Summary
Neuroactive steroids, not just gonadal hormones, significantly influence sex differences in the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis stress response. Understanding these interactions is crucial for addressing sex-based disparities in affective disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Neurobiology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is central to stress response and homeostasis.
- Chronic stress can cause HPA axis dysfunction, increasing affective disorder risk, especially when experienced during vulnerable life stages.
- Females exhibit heightened HPA axis stress responses, contributing to sex-based differences in neuropsychiatric disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence on sex differences in neuroactive steroid interactions with the HPA axis.
- To explore the role of neuroactive steroid metabolites in mediating sex differences in stress responses.
- To consider implications for health and disease, particularly affective disorders.
Main Methods:
- Review of animal and human studies.
- Examination of neuroactive steroid metabolism and HPA axis function.
- Analysis of sex differences across life stages and stress conditions.
Main Results:
- Gonadal sex steroids contribute to HPA axis sex differences.
- Neuroactive steroid metabolites in the brain also play a key role in mediating these sex differences.
- Chronic stress can impair brain steroidogenesis, affecting HPA axis function and potentially increasing psychopathology risk.
Conclusions:
- Sex differences in HPA axis stress responses are influenced by both gonadal steroids and their neuroactive metabolites.
- Dysregulation of neuroactive steroids and the HPA axis is implicated in affective disorders.
- Further research into these interactions is vital for understanding and treating sex-specific mental health conditions.
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