Neurosteroidal Systems

From: Traumatic Brain Injury, Panhypopituitarism and Hormonal Evaluations as a Standard of Care
<a id="null" class="null" href="http://www.nevadaosteopathic.org/attachments/article/33/Clearfield%20Panhypopituitarism%20and%20TBI.pdf">http://www.nevadaosteopathic.org/attachments/article/33/Clearfield%20Panhypopituitarism%20and%20TBI.pdf</a>

Regulate Neurotransmitters – Act as “Micro-Hormones” fine tuning the “Macro-Hormones” activity in brain – Failure of Neurosteroid System=Erratic Brain Transmissions – Expressed as depression, suicide, anxiety, panic attacks, phobia, psychosis Baulieu, EE., Schumacher, R.,” Neurosteroids: Beginning of the Story,” Int. Review of Neurobiology, Paris, France; 2003;46:1

Neuroactive Steroids-Traditional Concept of Hormones produced in Peripheral glands

Neurosteroids-Hormones regionally in the manufactured in the brain.

Recently discovered phenomena accounts for the high degree of pathology associated with TBI – Follows same track as the Steroidogenic Pathway. – Large role in Moods Disorder Baulieu, EE., Schumacher, R.,” Neurosteroids: Beginning of the Story,” Int. Review of Neurobiology, Paris, France; 2003;46:1

Intracranially Produced Hormones: Etiology of Hormone Deficiency in TBI
Progesterone, allo progesterone, and DHEA protect neurons in TBI and cerebrovascular events.

– Protects nerves from oxidative stress
– Promotes neuroregeneration
– Regenerates myelin
– Reduces inflammatory cytokines
– Reduces interleukins
• Modulates neuronal and behavioral functions.
•Anxiolytic, antidepressant, anti-aggressive, anti-stress, anti-convulsant

Alzheimer’s and TBI Victims both exhibit a deficiency in allopregnanolone in their frontal lobes Neuro (Centrally Produced) Steroids – Regulate Neurotransmitters – Act as “Micro-Hormones” fine tuning the “Macro-Hormones” activity in brain – Failure of Neurosteroid System=Erratic Brain Transmissions – Expressed as depression, suicide, anxiety, panic attacks, phobia, psychosis

Psychopathology and Neuroactive Steroids in TBI • Post TBI depression, stress and memory processes are directly related to behavioral aspects of NAS hormones. • Intact and /or disrupted neuroactive steroid production has a direct effect on behavior.

High doses of antianxiety agents and antidepressants suppress hormone production in the brain. • LH, FSH, GH most commonly affected • Basic minerals are similarly overproduced – Zinc/Copper ratio becomes unbalanced with an associated accumulation of aluminum in the brain. • i.e. Inc. Aluminum=Dec. zinc • Most Alzheimer’s, Cancers, and Chronic Infections result in a zinc deficiency • Zinc deficiency preference the production of Beta amyloid deposits in the brain – RX Zinc 30-60 mg. 1-2/d • Natural Estrogen Blocker (Blocks conversion of T to E2