Figure 4. Theoretical framework of the dysregulation caused by chronic alcohol abuse and restoration of homeostasis by GABAergic neuroactive steroids.
Chronic alcohol exposure decreases GABAergic signaling while increasing CRF and neuroimmune signaling. Neuroactive steroids may restore homeostasis by increasing GABAA receptor-mediated inhibition, and decreasing CRF and deleterious neuroimmune signaling, all of which contribute to the etiology of AUDs. Created using BioRender.com.