Provided herein is a compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein n, R.sup.19, R.sup.5, R.sup.3, R.sup.6a, R.sup.6b, R.sup.2a, R.sup.2b, R.sup.4a, R.sup.4b, R.sup.7a, R.sup.7b, R.sup.11, R.sup.12a, R.sup.12b, R.sup.16, R.sup.21a, R.sup.21b, and R.sup.21c are defined herein. Also provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of Formula (I) and methods of using the compounds, e.g., in the treatment of CNS-related disorders.

##STR00001##

Certain embodiments are directed to modified glucocorticoid compounds having one or both of (i) a substitution of a halogen for the 11 hydroxy and/or (ii) reduction of the bond between carbon 4 and carbon 5 of the A ring.

Described herein are steroids of Formula (I): ##STR00001##
and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2a, R.sup.2b, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5a, R.sup.5b, R.sup.6, and Z are as defined herein. Such compounds are contemplated useful for the prevention and treatment of a variety of CNS-related conditions, for example, treatment of sleep disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, convulsive disorders, disorders of memory and/or cognition, movement disorders, personality disorders, autism spectrum disorders, pain, traumatic brain injury, vascular diseases, substance abuse disorders and/or withdrawal syndromes, and tinnitus.

The present invention generally relates to a specific pregnenolone derivative for its use for the treatment of a cognitive disorders. More particularly, the invention relates to a compound of Formula (I) ##STR00001## for its use in the treatment of cognitive disorders. Indeed, the compound of the invention is in vivo very potent in correcting the cognitive impairments observed in cognitive disorders.

Provided herein is a compound of Formula (1-I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R.sup.2a, R.sup.2b, R.sup.3, R.sup.4a, R.sup.4b, R.sup.5, R.sup.6a, R.sup.6b, R.sup.11a, R.sup.11b, R.sup.16a, R.sup.16b, R.sup.19, R.sup.18, X, q, r, s, t, u, and n are defined herein. Also provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of Formula (1-I) and methods of using the compounds, e.g. in the treatment of CNS-related disorders.

##STR00001##