Neuroactive steroids of androstane and pregnane series

The invention relates to a 3 alpha -hydroxy, 17-(un)substituted derivatives of the androstane series and 3 alpha -hydroxy, 21-substituted derivatives of the pregnane series. These derivatives are capable of acting at the recently identified site on the GRC, thereby modulating brain excitability in a manner that will alleviate stress, anxiety, insomnia, mood disorders that are amenable to GRC-active agents (such as depression) and seizure activity. The steroid derivatives of this invention are those having general structural formula (I), wherein R, R1, R2, R3,R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 are further defined herein and the dotted lines are single or double bonds. The structure includes androstanes pregnanes (R4 = methyl), 19-norandrostanes, and norpregnanes (R4=H).