Neurodegeneration

Medical Studies on DHEA – Neurodegeneration

DHEA Neurodegeneration

DHEA has been shown to be involved in many brain functions. For example, it supports memory performance, helps to maintain a healthy mood and protects against anxiety — both in young and older people. At the same time, DHEA helps counteract stress by promoting the breakdown of harmful stress hormones.

Cortisol-DHEA Ratio

The cortisol-DHEA ratio is an important indicator of a possible imbalance of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, a system that controls many bodily processes, such as the stress response, mood and emotions. Studies have concluded that low DHEA levels in particular are associated with depressive symptoms.

Healthy Aging

If, as in advanced age, the balance between DHEA and cortisol is disturbed due to very low levels of DHEA, it can have significant effects on concentration, memory and stress perception. Clinical studies have shown that restoring physiological blood levels of DHEA increases the overall sense of well-being in the elderly. The neuroprotective properties of DHEA are also considered to have promising potential for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Here, DHEA appears to act as an independent hormone and is not metabolized into other hormones.

Medical Studies on DHEA – Neurodegeneration

DHEA as a Biomarker of Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021-07 Dutheil F, de Saint Vincent S, Pereira B, Schmidt J, Moustafa F, Charkhabi M , Bouillon-Minois JB, Clinchamps M

Psychosocial stress is a significant public health problem inducing consequences for quality of life. Results about the use of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) as a biomarker of acute stress are conflicting. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to demonstrate that DHEA levels could be a biomarker of stress.

Low neuroactive steroids identifies a biological subtype of depression in adults with human immunodeficiency virus on suppressive antiretroviral therapy

2021-05 Mukerji SS, Misra V, Lorenz DR, Chettimada S, Keller K, Letendre S, Ellis RJ, Morgello S, Parker RA, Gabuzda D

The prevalence and mortality risk of depression in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) is higher than in the general population, yet biomarkers for therapeutic targeting are unknown. In the current study, we aimed to identify plasma metabolites associated with depressive symptoms in people with HIV receiving ART.

Cortisol to Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate ratio and executive function in bipolar disorder

2021-01 Tournikioti K, Alevizaki M, Michopoulos I, Mantzou A, Soldatos C, Douzenis A, Dikeos D, Ferentinos P

Bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with impairment in cognitive domains such as verbal memory and executive functions. Very few studies have assessed dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) in BD and its relation to cognitive functioning despite evidence showing its regulatory effects on glucocorticoid action. The aim of our study was to explore the association of cortisol, DHEA-S, and cortisol to DHEA-S ratio with visuospatial memory and executive functioning in BD.

Cortisol-dehydroepiandrosterone ratios are inversely associated with hippocampal and prefrontal brain volume in schizophrenia

2021-01 Ji E, Weickert CS, Purves-Tyson T, White C, Handelsman DJ, Desai R, O'Donnell M, Liu D, Galletly C, Lenroot R, Weickert TW

While high levels of glucocorticoids are generally neuro-damaging, a related adrenal steroid, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), has anti-glucocorticoid and neuroprotective properties. Previous work has shown increased circulating levels of DHEA and abnormal cortisol/DHEA ratios in people with schizophrenia, however reports are limited and their relationship to neuropathology is unclear.

Associations between dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) and cognitive function in 5,061 older men and women in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

2020-07 Elpers AL, Steptoe A

Despite extensive observational and intervention research, the association between concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and cognition at older ages remains unclear. This study investigated cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between plasma DHEAS and cognitive function in a large nationally-representative cohort of men and women aged 50 and older.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulphate (DHEAS) in Alzheimer’s disease

2020-01 Strac DS, Konjevod M, Perkovic MN, Tudor L, Erjavec GN, Pivac N

Neurosteroids Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate (DHEAS) are involved in many important brain functions, including neuronal plasticity and survival, cognition and behavior, demonstrating preventive and therapeutic potential in different neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease.

Supplementation of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in pre- and postmenopausal women – position statement of expert panel of Polish Menopause and Andropause Society

2020-01 Rabijewski M, Papierska L, Binkowska M, Maksym R, Jankowska K, Skrzypulec-Plinta W, Zgliczynski W

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) concentration decreases with age, therefore, DHEA has been considered a hormone that reduces the symptoms associated with aging, so the usefulness of DHEA in premenopausal and postmenopausal women, and the options of hormone therapy have received a large amount of attention.

Is the DHEAS/cortisol ratio a potential filter for non-operable constipated cases?

2010-02 El-Tawil AM

Constipation is a significant manifestation of a number of psychological disorders. Published papers recommend using self-assessment questionnaires for discriminating psychological from non-psychological constipated patients before operating on them but reports from major surveys revealed that general practitioners failed to diagnose 70% of depressed patients using self-assessment questionnaires.

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