Venerdì 7 novembre - ore 12:00
Aula seminari, NICO
An Update on Neuroactive Steroids
Roberto Cosimo Melcangi
Neuroendocrinology Unit - Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences-Section of Biomedicine and Endocrinology; Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases - University of Milan
Neuroactive steroid family includes steroid hormones produced in peripheral glands and steroids directly synthesized in the nervous system (i.e., neurosteroids).These molecules, by mechanisms involving classical and/or non classical steroid receptors, act as important physiological regulators of nervous function, affecting mood, behavior, reproduction and cognition, as well as acting like protective agents in models of injury, neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders.
As reported, neuroactive steroid levels in central and peripheral nervous system are sex dimorphic and are influenced by hormonal environment. Moreover, data obtained in experimental models of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy, psychiatric disorders etc. have shown that pathological conditions also alter the levels of neuroactive steroids and in some cases these changes occur in a sex-dimorphic way. Altogether, these observations may represent a background for possible neuroprotective strategies based on neuroactive steroids to be to be applied in human diseases.
Host: Alessandro Vercelli
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