Why drugs and hormones may interact in psychiatric disorders

Abstract

Neurotransmitter receptors are found in the neuronal membrane and trigger biochemical signals from the outer membrane through the cytoplasm and ultimately to the genome. Receptors for numerous steroid hormones, however, act directly at the genome. These 2 pathways to the genome apparently interact, and their "cross-talk" may be an important factor in normal neuronal functioning as well as in psychiatric disorders and the actions of psychotropic drugs.