PROCONVULSANT AND ANTICONVULSANT EFFECTS OF STRESS - THE ROLE OF NEUROACTIVE STEROIDS

The present review deals with findings related to the contribution of pro- and anticonvulsant effects of ''neuroactive'' steroids and the ro le of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor as a physiological t arget for naturally occuring steroids. Ways are discussed via which GA BAergic neurotransmission can be enhanced or reduced following maneuve rs that inflict stress. The duality of stress effects is emphasized in conjunction with different types of epileptogenesis (e.g., grand mal vs petit mal) that undergo dissimilar evolution. Among the issues cove red are steroid-induced sedation and epileptogenicity, excitatory ster oids, stress and epilepsy, GABA and respiratory functions, asymmetric brain injury, and psychopathology and stress.