Abstract
This chapter describes the sensitive methods for the immunostaining of steroidogenic P450s, as well as the measurement of their steroidogenic activity, particularly in the hippocampus. The hippocampus that involves essentially in the learning and memory processes is a target for the neuromodulatory actions of neurosteroids that are synthesized locally in hippocampal neurons, in addition to those of steroid hormones produced in the adrenal glands and gonads. Neurosteroids include pregnenolone (PREG), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), testosterone, and 17β-estradiol and their sulfated esters (PREGS, DHEAS, etc.). Neurosteroids may modulate neurotransmission acutely in an either excitatory or inhibitory manner. In conclusion, hippocampal neurons are equipped with the machinery that synthesizes PREG(S), DHEA, and estradiol. Neurosteroidogenesis may be acutely performed on stimulation of neurons with glutamate via a NMDA receptormediated Ca2+ influx. The methods of investigation used for the hippocampus are also applicable to other brain regions, such as the cerebellum, cortex, hypothalamus, and olfactory bulb.
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