New insights into the role of neuroactive steroids in cognitive aging
Experimental Gerontology. 2004-11-01; 39(11-12): 1695-1704
DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2004.07.012
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Vallée M(1), George O, Vitiello S, Le Moal M, Mayo W.
Author information:
(1)INSERM U588, Institut F. Magendie, 1 rue Camille Saint Saëns, Bordeaux 33077,
France.
The aim of this article is to describe neuroactive steroid research that has
been focused on their physiological role in cognitive aging, an attractive new
field in experimental gerontology. Neuroactive steroids have been recently
proposed as biomarkers of cognitive aging, however, their specific functions
have not yet been fully established. For instance, data emerging from human and
animal studies suggest a complex relationship between neuroactive steroids
and/or metabolites and cognitive processes during aging. Thus, a better
knowledge of neuroactive steroid brain distribution and function could broaden
our understanding of their physiological roles and lead to novel and more
effective treatments for the management of age-related brain disorders. To this
end, newly developed sensitive, specific, and accurate mass spectrometry assays
may allow the quantification of neuroactive steroids in discrete brain regions
and greatly contribute to unravel their role in age-related cognitive deficits.