Androgens brain receptors

Steroid Hormones and Neurosteroids. Steroids (qv) can affect neuroendocrine function, stress responses, and behavioral sexual dimorphism (78,79) (see Steroids). Mineralocorticoid, glucocorticoid, androgen, estrogen, and progesterone receptors are localized in the brain and spinal cord. In addition to genomic actions, the neurosteroid can act more acutely to modulate the actions of other receptors or ion channels (80). Pregnenolone [145-13-17, ( ) dehydroepiandosterone [53-43-0] C H2 02 (319) are excitatory neurosteroids found in rat brain, independent of adrenal... 

Spinal and bulbar cerebellar cortex, brain stem Motor neurons, dorsal root ganglia 11-34 40-62 Androgen receptor NI (n)... 

As to the primary developmental actions of testosterone, growth and differentiation appear to be involved. Testosterone or estradiol stimulates outgrowth of neurites from developing hypothalamic neurons that contain estrogen receptors [14, 15]. This is believed to be one of the principal aspects of testosterone action that increases the number and the size of neurons within specific hypothalamic nuclei in males, compared to females [1, 14, 15]. 5a-DHT may have a similar effect on androgen-sensitive neurons. Differentiation of target neurons also occurs in adult brain tissue, hormones like estradiol can evoke responses that differ between adult male and female rats [1,14,15],... 

Simerly, R. B., Chang, C., Muramastsu, M. and Swanson, L. W. Distribution of androgen and estrogen receptor mRNA-containing cells in the rat brain an in situ hybridization study. /. Comp. Neurol. 29 76-95,1990. 

SBMA In addition to HD, NaBu has also been reported to be effective in treating spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) (Minamiyama et al, 2004), an inheritable motorneuron disease caused by an expanded polyglutamine-repeat within the androgen receptor. SBMA is associated with motorneuron loss in the spinal cord and brain stem as well as a sub-clinical loss of sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglia resulting in skeletal muscle atrophy and weakness (Sobue et al, 1989 ... 

They have a low incidence of adverse reactions and the reactions that occur are generally mild. Rapid intravenous infusion of H2 antagonists may cause bradycardia. Cimetidine is more inclined to cross the blood-brain barrier and CNS effects such as somnolence and confusion have been described, especially in the elderly and in patients with impaired renal function. Cimetidine in high doses, as the only one of its class, has antiandrogenic effects which could be explained by an increase of prolactin secretion, binding to androgen receptors and inhibition the cytochrome P450 mediated hydroxylation of estradiol. 

In women, androgens may act directly via the androgen receptor or indirectly after conversion to estrogen. Androgens are the precursor hormones for estrogen production in the ovaries, as well as in extragonadal sites, including bone, adipose tissue, and the brain. 

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