What is the Origin of Neuro-Active Hormones?

The concept arises from the specialized field of neuroendocrinology, where the chemical messengers influencing the brain are studied across systems. The term emphasizes the direct impact on neural substrates rather than just peripheral physiological targets. It highlights hormones that act as neuromodulators or neurotransmitters themselves.

What is the Mechanism of Neuro-Active Hormones?

Many neuro-active hormones, particularly lipophilic steroids like testosterone or cortisol, readily cross the blood-brain barrier to bind to intracellular receptors in specific neuronal populations. This binding initiates genomic changes that alter protein synthesis, affecting long-term neuronal function. Other peptides act rapidly via surface receptors to modulate synaptic transmission, thereby influencing immediate cognitive processing and emotional reactivity.

Neuro-Active Hormones ∞ Area

Neuro-Active Hormones

Meaning

Neuro-Active Hormones are signaling molecules, including classic hormones and neuropeptides, that possess the capability to directly influence neuronal function, altering excitability, synaptic plasticity, or the release of other neurotransmitters within the central nervous system. These substances bridge the gap between the endocrine system and neural signaling, profoundly affecting mood, cognition, and behavior. Steroids and thyroid hormones fall into this category due to their genomic and non-genomic actions on brain tissue.