AI Article Synopsis
- DHEA and DHEA-S are adrenal hormones that decline with age, and they may have important effects on mood and cognitive function.
- A study involving six middle-aged and elderly patients with major depression showed significant improvements in depression and memory after taking DHEA for four weeks.
- Results indicate a direct relationship between elevated DHEA/DHEA-S levels and reduced depression ratings/memory improvement, highlighting the potential for DHEA as a treatment option that warrants further rigorous testing.
Article Abstract
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate, DHEA-S, are plentiful adrenal steroid hormones that decrease with aging and may have significant neuropsychiatric effects. In this study, six middle-aged and elderly patients with major depression and low basal plasma DHEA f1p4or DHEA-S levels were openly administered DHEA (30-90 mg/d x 4 weeks) in doses sufficient to achieve circulating plasma levels observed in younger healthy individuals. Depression ratings, as well as aspects of memory performance significantly improved. One treatment-resistant patient received extended treatment with DHEA for 6 months: her depression ratings improved 48-72% and her semantic memory performance improved 63%. These measures returned to baseline after treatment ended. In both studies, improvements in depression ratings and memory performance were directly related to increases in plasma levels of DHEA and DHEA-S and to increases in their ratios with plasma cortisol levels. These preliminary data suggest DHEA may have antidepressant and promemory effects and should encourage double-blind trials in depressed patients.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0006-3223(96)00043-1 | DOI Listing |
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