NEUROSTEROIDS BLOCK THE MEMORY-IMPAIRING EFFECTS OF ETHANOL IN MICE

Using a win-shift foraging paradigm to assess working memory in C57BL/ 6 mice, the memory-enhancing effect of low doses of the neurosteroids 5-pregnen-3 beta-ol-20-one [pregnenolone (PE)], 5-pregnen-3 beta-ol-20 -one sulfate [pregnenolone sulfate (PS)], 5-androsten-3 beta-ol-17-one [dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)], and 5-androsten-3 beta-ol-17-one sul fate [dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS)] were demonstrated. The n eurosteroids 5 beta-pregnan-3 alpha-ol-20-one [pregnanolone (PA)] and 5 beta-pregnan-3 beta-ol-20-one [epipregnanolone (EPI)] disrupted memo ry in this paradigm. PE, PS, DHEA, DHEAS, and PA were also capable of blocking the memory-impairing effect of 0.5 g/kg ethanol. EPI prevente d PA from blocking the effect of ethanol. The influence of these compo unds on memory arid their interactions on this behavior are consistent with their actions on the GABA(A) system.