The neurosteroid 5β‐pregnan‐3α‐ol‐20‐one enhances actions of etomidate as a positive allosteric modulator of α1β2γ2<scp>L GABA_A</scp>receptors

Abstract

Potentiating neurosteroids act similarly on orthosterically and allosterically activated GABAA receptors. Co-application of neurosteroids with etomidate can significantly reduce dosage requirements for the anaesthetic, and is a potentially beneficial combination to reduce undesired side effects.