The invention relates to 3.alpha.-hydroxy, 17-(un)substituted derivatives of the androstane series and 3.alpha.-hydroxy, 21-substituted derivatives of the pregnane series. These derivatives are capable of acting at a recently identified site on the GRC, thereby modulating brain excitability in a manner that will alleviate stress, anxiety, insomnia, mood disorders that are amenable to GRC-active agents (such as depression) and seizure activity. The steroid derivatives of this invention are those having the general structural Formula: ##STR1## wherein R, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7, R.sub.8, R.sub.9 and R.sub.10 are further defined herein and the dotted lines are single or double bonds. The structure includes androstanes, pregnanes (R.sub.4 =methyl), 19-norandrostanes, and norpregnanes (R.sub.4 =H).
                            该发明涉及雄烷系列的3α-羟基,17-(未)取代衍
生物和孕烷系列的3α-羟基,21-取代衍
生物。这些衍
生物能够在GRC上的一个最近确定的位点发挥作用,从而调节大脑的兴奋性,以一种能够缓解压力、焦虑、失眠、情绪障碍(如抑郁症)和癫痫活动的方式。本发明的类
固醇衍
生物具有以下一般结构式:##STR1##其中R、R.sub.1、R.sub.2、R.sub.3、R.sub.4、R.sub.5、R.sub.6、R.sub.7、R.sub.8、R.sub.9和R.sub.10在此进一步定义,虚线表示单键或双键。该结构包括雄烷、孕烷(R.sub.4=methyl)、19-去雄雄烷和去孕烷(R.sub.4=H)。