Neurosteroids: A Novel Therapeutic Approach for Mood and Neurological Disorders

Neurosteroids may have a therapeutic application in the management of mood and neurological disorders, according to results of a review presented at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting, held virtually from May 17 to 21, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

Neurosteroids, such as brexanolone, ganaxalone, sepranolone, and zuranolone may have clinical application for managing mood and neurological disorders. Their mechanism of action is to modulate the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system through positive allosteric alteration of GABA-A receptors, which improves mood stabilization, thus reducing symptoms.

Previous clinical trials demonstrated the efficacy of brexanolone and zuranolone for rapidly treating postpartum depression. Some evidence suggested that these agents may also have the potential to have efficacy for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder.

Other studies have found that ganaxalone may have clinical application in managing epilepsy, given its capacity to control seizures via GABAergic activity by restoring the balance of neurotransmission. Some evidence has suggested that their GABAergic effects may mitigate excitotoxicity, a hallmark of Alzheimer disease pathology.

Additional investigation is needed to replicate and confirm the applicability of the novel therapeutic approach of using neurosteroids to manage mood and neurological disorders.

The study author concluded, “[T]his review underscores the substantial therapeutic promise of neurosteroids in mood and neurological disorders. Their modulation of the GABA system emerges as a central mechanism of action emphasizing the importance of GABAergic signaling in these conditions.”

This article originally appeared on Psychiatry Advisor