This timely volume provides a comprehensive overview of glucocorticoids and their role in regulating many aspects of physiology and their use in the treatment of disease. The book is broken into four sections that begin by giving a general introduction to glucocorticoids and a brief history of the field. The second section will discuss the effects of glucocorticoids on metabolism, while the third section will cover the effects of glucocorticoids on key tissues. The final section will discuss general topics, such as animal models in glucocorticoid research and clinical implications of glucocorticoid research. Featuring chapters from leaders in the field, this volume will be of interest to both researchers and clinicians.

Steroid Hormone Regulation of the Brain focuses on the advancement of knowledge of the properties of brain steroid receptors and steroid target nerve cells, including the actions of gonadal steroids, adrenocortical steroids, and androgenic steroids on the brain. The selection features the work of authors who have inspiringly conducted extensive studies on the action of steroid hormones. The book starts with discussions that point out that steroid hormones not only function through intracellular steroid receptors, but possibly through steroid membrane actions as well. Studies to support this claim are presented. As to the action of steroid hormones on presynaptic transmitter mechanisms, the book suggests that adrenocortical and gonadal steroids can create alterations in noradrenaline, adrenaline, and dopamine levels and turnover within the hypothalamus and preoptic area. The effects of catecholestrogens on the brain are also elaborated. A contribution to this paper stresses that estrogens have antidopaminergic action in the extrapyramidal system. This idea is identified through a series of behavioral experiments and measurements of the levels of striatal acetylcholine. This selection is recommended to scientists interested in studying the effect of hormones on the brain.

This book provides an up-to-date overview of the role of neurosteroids and neuroactive steroids in the regulation of brain processes and neuropsychiatric disorders. It addresses the neurosteroid function in brain development and plasticity, in both the normal and the pathological brain. It also suggests possible therapeutic approaches to the use of natural occurring or sinthetic neurosteroids. The contributors suggest that neuroactive steroids could have a role in clinical practice.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a significant source of death and permanent disability, contributing to nearly one-third of all injury related deaths in the United States and exacting a profound personal and economic toll. Despite the increased resources that have recently been brought to bear to improve our understanding of TBI, the developme

A steroid is an organic molecule having four rings organized in a specific molecular configuration that is biologically active. Steroids serve two principal biological functions. First, they are important components of cell membranes that affect membrane fluidity. Second, they act as signaling molecules. Animals, plants, and fungi all contain hundreds of steroids. Steroid hormones influence metabolism and the biological processes. These hormones affect endocrine functions such as sexual differentiation and reproductive life. The pharmaceutical industry has used steroids for making anticancer, anti-inflammatories, anticonvulsants, contraceptives, and fertility drugs. Steroid dimers are a class of chemicals that are produced by a variety of marine creatures and can also be manufactured in laboratories. This class of compounds has a wide range of pharmacological and biological properties, and can be utilized to make molecular umbrellas for drug delivery. This book explores all the important aspects of steroids in the present-day scenario. It is a valuable compilation of topics, encompassing their chemistry as well as applications in drug design and delivery. This book is a vital tool for all researching or studying steroids.

Steroid hormones are unique compounds in that they are active at the interface of peripheral endocrine events and neural mechanisms. Thus their effects present an important peripheral signaling system to alter brain function. This volume presents state-of-the-art and classical techniques for the study of steroid hormones and their receptors and their effects and actions. - Comprehensive protocols included for the study of Steroid kinetics and metabolism - Steroid receptors - Molecular and cellular effects of steroids - Steroid effects on integrated systems