Skip to main content

Steroidogenesis Brain

Meaning

Steroidogenesis Brain refers to the intrinsic capacity of the central nervous system to synthesize steroid hormones de novo from cholesterol or circulating steroid precursors, a process distinct from the production in classical endocrine glands like the adrenals and gonads. These locally synthesized steroids, termed neurosteroids, act rapidly and locally to modulate neuronal excitability and synaptic function, often with powerful effects on mood, memory, and complex behavior. This intrinsic brain function highlights the neurological system’s autonomy in regulating its own steroid milieu and microenvironment. Understanding the dynamics of brain steroidogenesis is critical for developing targeted therapies for neurocognitive and affective disorders.