Neuroactive steroids: a therapeutic approach to maintain peripheral nerve integr

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J Mol Neurosci. 2006;28(1):65-76.

Neuroactive steroids: a therapeutic approach to maintain peripheral

nerve integrity during neurodegenerative events.

Leonelli E, Ballabio M, Consoli A, Roglio I, Magnaghi V, Melcangi RC.

Department of Endocrinology and Center of Excellence on

Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy.

It is now well known that peripheral nerves are a target for the

action of neuroactive steroids. This review summarizes observations

obtained so far, indicating that through the interaction with

classical and nonclassical steroid receptors, neuroactive steroids

(e.g., progesterone, testosterone and their derivatives, estrogens,

etc.) are able to influence several parameters of the peripheral

nervous system, particularly its glial compartment (i.e., Schwann

cells). Interestingly, some of these neuroactive steroids might be

considered as promising neuroprotective agents. They are able to

counteract neurodegenerative events of rat peripheral nerves

occurring after experimental physical trauma, during the aging

process, or in hereditary demyelinating diseases. On this basis, the

hypothesis that neuroactive steroids might represent a new

therapeutic strategy for peripheral neuropathy is proposed.

PMID: 16632876

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That's odd because at 'that time of the month' for me, I have a lot more

neuropathic pain. Maybe the hormone-neuroactive steroids have to be in a

certain range to be effective?