Structure-activity relationship studies on neuroactive steroids in memory, alcohol and stress-related functions: A crucial benefit from endogenous level analysis

Vallée M(1).

Author information:
(1)INSERM U862, Neurocentre Magendie, Pathophysiology of Addiction, Bordeaux,
33077, France, .

RATIONALE: New research findings in the field of neuroactive steroids strongly
suggest that to understand their role in physiopathology, it is essential to
accurately measure their tissue levels. Through his broad chemical expertise and
extensive knowledge of steroids, Dr. Robert H. Purdy pioneered
structure-activity relationship studies on these compounds and developed
innovative detection assays that are essential to assess their function in
biological tissues.
OBJECTIVE: The goal of the present paper is to point out the specific
contributions of Dr. Purdy and his collaborators to the current knowledge on the
role of neuroactive steroids in the modulation of memory and alcohol- and
stress-related effects with particular emphasis on the detection assays he
developed to assess their endogenous levels. Reviewed here are the major results
as well as the original and valuable methodological strategies issued by the
long-term collaboration between Dr Purdy and many scientists worldwide on the
investigation of the structure-activity relationship of neuroactive steroids.
RESULTS: Altogether, the data presented herein put forward the original notion
that knowledge of the chemical structure of steroids is essential for their
detection and the understanding of their role in physiological and pathological
conditions, including the stress response.
CONCLUSIONS: The current challenge is to identify and quantify using appropriate
methods neuroactive steroids in the context of both animal and clinical studies
in order to reveal how their levels change under physiological and disease
states. Dr. Purdy passed away in September 2012, but scientists all over the
world will always be grateful for his pioneering work on steroid chemistry and
for his great enthusiasm in research.

 

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