[Neurosteroids--basic principles, anxiolysis and clinical applications]

Steroids which are synthesised de novo in the CNS are termed neurosteroids. In contrast to classical non-genomic steroid effects, neurosteroids interact with GABAa and NMDA receptors localized on the cell membrane. This mode of action implies an influence of neurosteroids on a variety of central nervous processes. More specifically, this compound class could act as an endogenous anxiolytic agent through modulation of the GABAa receptor complex, thereby presenting potential advantages over existing classes of anxiolytics, e.g. benzodiazepines, with regard to tolerance, dependence and abuse liability. The present paper reviews the current state of research in this field.