STEROID CONTROL OF HIGHER BRAIN-FUNCTION AND BEHAVIOR

In higher vertebrates, many behavioral characteristics can be attribut ed to effects in the central nervous system, in response to gonadal ho rmones secreted early in development. The lipophilic properties of ste roids facilitate their easy passage in free form through the blood-bra in barrier. At the cerebral level, the function of many nerve cells is influenced by steroid hormones originating from the periphery (synthe sis of gluco-, and mineralocorticosteroids in the adrenal glands and o f sex steroids in the gonads and the placenta from cholesterol). Howev er, the relationship between steroids and cerebral function may need r econsidering in light of the recent discovery of a biosynthetic pathwa y (independently of peripheral sources) of steroidal compounds ensurin g the synthesis of neurosteroids from cholesterol in certain brain cel ls.