The measurable positive influence of the neurosteroid pregnenolone, a precursor to all other steroid hormones, on various aspects of brain function, including memory consolidation, mood stabilization, and stress resilience. Pregnenolone and its sulfate ester act directly on neural tissue to modulate neurotransmitter receptors and promote neuroplasticity. These effects are distinct from the downstream actions of the sex hormones it eventually converts into.
Origin
This concept originated in neuroendocrinology with the discovery that pregnenolone is synthesized de novo in the brain, classifying it as a neurosteroid. Research then focused on its non-genomic, rapid effects on neuronal signaling, separate from its role as a prohormone. The term is used clinically to describe the potential therapeutic benefits of optimizing its levels for brain health.
Mechanism
Pregnenolone and its sulfate primarily function by allosterically modulating the activity of key neurotransmitter receptors, such as the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, which is critical for learning and memory, and the GABA-A receptor, which mediates calming effects. By acting as a positive modulator of NMDA, it can enhance synaptic efficiency. Its role as a direct signaling molecule in the brain is independent of the classic endocrine pathways.
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