What is "allopregnanolone"

n. (context organic compound English) A neurosteroid that is a metabolite of progesterone

Allopregnanolone (ALLO), also known as 3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one or 3α,5α-tetrahydroprogesterone (3α,5α-THP), is an endogenous inhibitory pregnane neurosteroid. It is synthesized from progesterone, and is a potent positive allosteric modulator of the action of gamma-amininobutyric acid (GABA) at GABA receptor. Allopregnanolone has effects similar to those of other positive allosteric modulators of the GABA action at GABA receptor such as the benzodiazepines, including anxiolytic, sedative, and anticonvulsant activity.

Endogenously produced allopregnanolone exerts a pivotal neurophysiological role by fine-tuning of GABA receptor and modulating the action of several positive allosteric modulators and agonists at GABA receptor. The 21-hydroxylated derivative of this compound, tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (THDOC), is an endogenous inhibitory neurosteroid with similar properties to those of allopregnanolone, and the 3β-methyl analogue of allopregnanolone, ganaxolone, is under development to treat epilepsy and other conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).