Structurally diverse amphiphiles exhibit biphasic modulation of GABAA receptors: similarities and differences with neurosteroid actions

摘要

Background and purpose:Some neurosteroids, notably 3α-hydroxysteroids, positively modulate GABAA receptors, but sulphated steroids negatively modulate these receptors. Recently, other lipophilic amphiphiles have been suggested to positively modulate GABA receptors. We examined whether there was similarity among the actions of these agents and the mechanisms of neurosteroids. Significant similarity would affect theories about the specificity of steroid actions.