Neuroactive steroid treatments for depression and mood disorders
Neuroactive steroids as novel psychiatric treatments: mechanistic studies
New neuroactive steroid medicines aim to help people with major depression and postpartum depression by changing brain signaling that controls mood and stress.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11158960 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research center is using specially made neuroactive steroid compounds to learn how they change brain cells, neural circuits, and behavior. Scientists will use lab models (including mouse models that mimic postpartum and major depression) and molecular and electrical-recording experiments to trace how these drugs affect GABAA receptors and other stress and inflammation pathways. The team links drug effects at the molecular and circuit level to changes in brain activity and mood-related behaviors so they can design better medicines. While much of the work is in the lab, the findings could guide future clinical treatments for people with depression.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with major depressive disorder or postpartum depression, especially those who have not responded to standard antidepressants, would be the most relevant candidates for future trials.
Not a fit: People without mood disorders or those with medical reasons that preclude steroid-like treatments are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to faster-acting or more precisely targeted antidepressant medicines, including new options for postpartum depression.
How similar studies have performed: Related drugs have already shown clinical promise: brexanolone (an allopregnanolone formulation) is FDA-approved for postpartum depression and other oral neuroactive steroids have reported positive Phase 2–3 results.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mennerick, Steven J — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Mennerick, Steven J
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.