Modulation of Muscarinic Signalling in the Central Nervous System by Steroid Hormones and Neurosteroids

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors expressed in the central nervous system mediate various functions, including cognition, memory, or reward. Therefore, muscarinic receptors represent potential pharmacological targets for various diseases and conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, addiction, epilepsy, or depression. Muscarinic receptors are allosterically modulated by neurosteroids and steroid hormones at physiologically relevant concentrations. In this review, we focus on the modulation of muscarinic receptors by neurosteroids and steroid hormones in the context of diseases and disorders of the central nervous system. Further, we propose the potential use of neuroactive steroids in the development of pharmacotherapeutics for these diseases and conditions.

Automated summary

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the central nervous system have various functions, such as cognition, memory, or reward. They are potential targets for diseases like Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, addiction, epilepsy, or depression. These receptors are modulated by neurosteroids and steroid hormones, and this review focuses on their modulation in the context of CNS diseases and proposes the use of neuroactive steroids in drug development.