Determination of steroid hormones synthesized by the human body plays an important role in various fields of endocrinology. Neurosteroids (NS) are steroids that are synthesized in the central (CNS) or peripheral nervous system (PNS), which is not only a source but also a target for neurosteroids. They are discussed as possible biomarkers in various cognitive disorders and research interest in this topic raises continuously. Nevertheless, knowledge on functions and metabolism is still limited, although the concept of neurosteroids was already introduced in the 1980s.

Until today, the analysis of neurosteroids is truly challenging. The only accessible matrix for investigations of brain metabolism in living human beings is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which therefore becomes a very interesting specimen for analysis. However, neurosteroid concentrations are expected to be very low and the available amount of cerebrospinal fluid is limited. Further, high structural similarities of endogenous neurosteroids challenges analysis. Therefore, comprehensive methods, highly selective and sensitive for a large range of concentrations for different steroids in one aliquot are required and under continuous development.

Although research has been increasingly intensified, still only few data are available on reference levels of neurosteroids in human cerebrospinal fluid. In this review, published literature of the last twenty years, as a period with relatively contemporary analytical methods, was systematically investigated. Considerations on human cerebrospinal fluid, different analytical approaches, and available data on levels of in analogy to periphery conceivable occurring neurosteroids, including (pro-) gestagens, androgens, corticoids, estrogens, and steroid conjugates, and their interpretation are intensively discussed.

由人体合成的类固醇激素的测定在内分泌学的各个领域中起着重要的作用。神经类固醇（NS）是在中枢（CNS）或周围神经系统（PNS）中合成的类固醇，这不仅是神经类固醇的来源，而且还是其目标。它们被认为是各种认知障碍中可能的生物标志物，并且对该主题的研究兴趣不断提高。尽管如此，尽管在1980年代就已经引入了神经固醇的概念，但是关于功能和代谢的知识仍然很有限。

直到今天，神经类固醇的分析仍是真正的挑战。用于研究活人大脑代谢的唯一可访问的基质是脑脊液（CSF），因此成为分析中非常有趣的标本。然而，预期神经甾体浓度非常低，并且脑脊液的可用量受到限制。此外，内源性神经甾体的高度结构相似性挑战了分析。因此，需要一种在等分试样中且对于各种类固醇的高选择性和高浓度敏感性的综合方法，并且该方法正在持续发展中。

尽管研究日益加强，但是关于人脑脊髓液中神经甾体参考水平的数据仍然很少。在这篇综述中，系统地研究了过去二十年作为相对现代分析方法的文献。关于人脑脊液的考虑因素，不同的分析方法以及与可想到的周围类固醇相似的可用数据，包括（孕）孕激素，雄激素，皮质类固醇，雌激素和类固醇结合物，以及它们的解释都得到了深入讨论。