Stress-Induced Elevations of γ-Aminobutyric Acid Type A Receptor- Active Steroids in the Rat Brain

A 3α-hydroxy A-ring-reduced metabolite of progesterone, 3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one (allopregnanolone), and one of deoxycorticosterone (DOC), 3α,21-dihydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one (allotetrahydroDOC), are among the most potent known ligands of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors designated GABAAin the central nervous system. With specific radioimmunoassays, rapid (3 ng/g) after adrenalectomy. These data demonstrate the presence of allopregnanolone and allotetrahydroDOC in brain and show that acute stress results in a rapid increase of these neuroactive steroids to levels known to modulate GABAAreceptor function.