Mechanism of action
The mechanism of action of zuranolone in treating PPD is not fully understood but is thought to be related to its positive allosteric modulation of GABAA receptors. Unlike benzodiazepines, another class of GABAA positive modulators, zuranolone binds to the α/β subunit interface presented in all GABAA receptors instead of the α/γ subunit interface. Therefore, zuranolone can bind to both synaptic GABAA receptors, composed of 2α2βγ subunits, and extrasynaptic GABAA receptors, composed of 2α2βδ subunits.