Impaired Endogenous Neurosteroid Signaling Contributes to Behavioral Deficits Associated With Chronic Stress

Abstract

Our findings demonstrate that chronic stress impairs endogenous neurosteroid signaling in the BLA, which is sufficient to induce behavioral deficits. Further, these studies suggest that allopregnanolone-based treatments may directly target the underlying pathophysiology of mood disorders suggesting that targeting endogenous neurosteroidogenesis may offer a novel therapeutic strategy.