Intrathecal injection of the neurosteroid, DHEAS, produces mechanical allodynia in mice: involvement of spinal sigma‐1 and GABAA receptors

Background and purpose:  The neurosteroid, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) and its non‐sulphated form, DHEA, are considered as crucial endogenous modulators of a number of important physiological events. Evidence suggests that DHEAS and DHEA modulate central nervous system‐related functions by activating sigma‐1 receptors and/or allosterically inhibiting γ‐aminobutyric acic receptor type A (GABAA) receptors. As both the sigma‐1 receptor and the GABAA receptor play important roles in spinal pain transmission, the present study was designed to examine whether intrathecally injected DHEAS or DHEA affect nociceptive signalling at the spinal cord level.

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