Table 1
Effects of steroids on the NMDA response
| Steroid | Change in response | |
|---|---|---|
| Steroids that potentiate the NMDA response | % | |
| PHS | +204 ± 18 (4) | |
| 17-Hydroxy-PS | +178 ± 15 (4) | |
| PS | +150 ± 14 (14) | |
| 21-Acetoxy-PS | +85 ± 16 (7) | |
| 20β-Dihydro-PS | +92 ± 17 (5) | |
| 3β5αS | +39 ± 6 (7) | |
| Steroids that inhibit the NMDA response | % | |
| 3α5αS | −25 ± 3 (8) | |
| 3α-Hydroxy-5β-pregnan-20-one hemisuccinate | −31 ± 9 (6) | |
| 11β-Hydroxy-PS | −31 ± 2 (3) | |
| 3β5βS | −50 ± 4 (12) | |
| 3α5BS | −66 ± 3 (5) | |
| Steroids with minimal activity | ||
| 7-Keto-PS | −5 ± 5 (4) | |
| 11-Keto-PS | +4 ± 2 (7) | |
| Pregnenolone hemisuccinate methyl ester | −0.5 ± 1.9 (4) | |
Holding potential was −70 mV. NMDA concentration was 30 μM. Concentrations of all steroids were 100 μM. Modulation of the NMDA response is expressed as the percentage of change of the NMDA response in the presence of steroid, as compared to control responses obtained from the same cell before application and after washout of steroid. Values are means ± standard errors. The number of cells tested is indicated in parentheses.