Androstane steroids as neurochemical initiators of change in human hypothalamic function and related pharmaceutical compositions and methods

A pharmaceutical composition suitable for nasal administration in an individual, said composition comprising an Androstane steroid and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein said steroid has the formula:

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• wherein P1 is selected from the group consisting of oxo, α-(β-) hydroxy, α-(β-) acetoxy, α-(β-) propionoxy, α-(β-) methoxy, α-(β-) lower acyloxy, α-(β-) lower alkyloxy, and α-(β-) benzoyloxy;
• P2 is selected from the group consisting of methyl, hydroxymethyl, acyloxymethyl, alkoxymethyl, lower alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, acyloxyalkyl, and alkoxylalkyl;
• P3 is absent or is selected from the group consisting of methyl, hydroxymethyl, acyloxymethyl, alkoxymethyl, lower alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, acyloxyalkyl, and alkoxylalkyl;
• P4 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, oxo, halo, hydroxy, alkoxy, and acyloxy;
• P5 represents one or 2 substituents, wherein P5 comprises one or two hydrogen atoms, methyl, methylone, or one or two halo atoms;
• P6 is hydrogen or halo;
• and “a”, “b”, “c”, “d”, “e”, “f”, and “h” are alternative sites for optional double bonds.