Abstract
Studies on the sigma receptor and related compounds are becoming more attractive since they were found to be closely related to higher brain functions such as memory, learning, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and neuroprotection. Along with these pharmacological findings, the single transmembrane-type, non-metabotropic sigma binding protein has been cloned, while the presence of metabotropic sigma receptor has been also claimed. Thus, various pharmacological findings are now ready to be characterized on the molecular basis of receptor mechanisms. On the other hand, neurosteroids have higher brain functions such as non-genomic fast actions, which are similar to the actions of sigma compounds. Indeed some neurosteroids were revealed to behave as sigma agonists while others behave like antagonists of metabotropic sigma receptors. Pharmacolgical studies to determine if sigma compounds can be used to cure various central symptoms related to neurosteroids or steroid hormones can be expected.
