Neuroactive Steroids in Depression and Anxiety Disorders: Clinical Studies

py more likely reflect distinct pharmacological properties of antidepressants rather than the clinical response. In patients with panic disorder, changes in neuroactive steroid compo-sition have been observed opposite to those seen in depres-sion. However, during experimentally induced panic induc-tion either with cholecystokinine-tetrapeptide or sodium lactate, there was a pronounced decline in the concentra-tions of 3 -reduced neuroactive steroids in patients with panic disorder, which might result in a decreased GABAergic tone. In contrast, no changes in neuroactive steroid concen-trations could be observed in healthy controls with the ex-ception of 3 ,5 -tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone. The mod-ulation of GABA A receptors by neuroactive steroids might contribute to the pathophysiology of depression and anxi-ety disorders and might offer new targets for the develop-ment of novel anxiolytic compounds. Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Base