Neuroactive neurosteroids: dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulphate.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulphate ester (DHEAS) are neuroactive and are both imported into the brain from the circulation and produced in the nervous system. These neurosteroids have neurotrophic and excitatory effects, and further study is needed to delineate their physiological and pathological functions.