Exploring the connection between several neurosteroid hormones and first-episode psychosis and schizophrenia: A literature review

• Authors: Alicja Gładysz , Alicja Dydyna , Martyna Mościcka , Marta Gierlik

Title variants

PL

Wybrane hormony neurosteroidowe a pierwszy epizod psychozy i schizofrenii – przegląd literatury

• Languages of publication: EN PL

Abstracts

EN

First-episode psychosis (FEP) and first-episode schizophrenia (FES) are serious psychiatric conditions. Neurosteroids, known to modulate central nervous system function, may play a role in the pathophysiology of these disorders. This review aims to evaluate current evidence on the relationship between these disorders and levels of several neurosteroid hormones. A literature review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar, focusing on original articles, reviews, and meta-analyses published between 2016 and 2025. Keywords relevant to neurosteroids and FEP and FES were employed. Findings regarding neurosteroid levels in FEP and FES are inconsistent. Several studies indicate reduced testosterone levels in affected individuals compared to healthy controls. Similar reductions in estrogen and progesterone have been observed, often correlating with increased symptom severity. In contrast, dehydroepiandro-sterone and its sulfate show an opposite pattern, though research remains limited. These discrepancies highlight the need for further investigation into the role of individual neurosteroids in early psychotic disorders. Current evidence does not allow for definitive conclusions; however, emerging findings suggest that neurosteroid levels may be significantly altered in FEP or FES patients compared to healthy controls. Moreover, they may contribute to the clinical presentation of these disorders. Neurosteroids have potential as biomarkers for early psychosis, and advancing knowledge in this domain may offer novel diagnostic or therapeutic insight.

PL

Pierwszy epizod psychozy (first-episode psychosis – FEP) oraz pierwszy epizod schizofrenii (first-episode schizophrenia – FES) to poważne zaburzenia psychiatryczne. Hormony neurosteroidowe, które modulują funkcjonowanie ośrodkowego układu nerwowego, mogą odgrywać rolę w ich patofizjologii. Celem przeglądu jest ocena aktualnych danych dotyczących zależności między poziomami wybranych neurosteroidów a wskazanymi zaburzeniami. Przeprowadzono przegląd literatury z wykorzystaniem baz danych PubMed i Google Scholar, uwzględniając artykuły oryginalne, przeglądowe oraz metaanalizy opublikowane w latach 2016–2025. Zastosowano słowa kluczowe związane z hormonami neurosteroidowymi oraz FEP i FES. Wyniki badań nad poziomami hormonów neurosteroidowych w FEP i FES są niejednoznaczne. W kilku badaniach odnotowano obniżony poziom testosteronu u pacjentów w porównaniu z osobami zdrowymi. Podobne tendencje dotyczyły estrogenu i progesteronu, przy czym niższe poziomy korelowały z większym nasileniem objawów. Odmienny wzorzec zaobserwowano w przypadku dehydroepiandrosteronu i jego siarczanu, choć dane są ograniczone. Konieczne są dalsze badania nad rolą poszczególnych hormonów. Dotychczasowe dowody nie pozwalają na jednoznaczne wnioski, jednak sugerują, że u pacjentów z FEP lub FES poziom hormonów neurosteroidowych może znacząco różnić się w porównaniu ze zdrowymi osobami. Co więcej, zmiany poziomów hormonów neurosteroidowych mogą wpływać na obraz kliniczny tych zaburzeń. Hormony neurosteroidowe mają potencjał jako biomarkery wczesnej psychozy, a pogłębienie wiedzy w tym zakresie może przynieść istotne korzyści diagnostyczne i terapeutyczne.

Keywords

EN

DHEA; estrogen; first episode psychosis; pierwszy epizod psychozy; progesteron; progesterone; testosteron; testosterone

Discipline

• MEDICINE: MEDICINE

• Publisher: Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Katowicach
• Journal: Annales Academiae Medicae Silesiensis
• Year: 2025
• Volume: 79
• Pages: 393–403

Contributors

author

Alicja Gładysz

• Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland

author

Alicja Dydyna

• Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland

author

Martyna Mościcka

• Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland

author

Marta Gierlik

• Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland

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• Document Type: article