Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) treatment of depression.
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.
Wolkowitz
O M
OM
Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine 94143-0984, USA.
Reus
V I
VI
Roberts
E
E
Manfredi
F
F
Chan
T
T
Raum
W J
WJ
Ormiston
S
S
Johnson
R
R
Canick
J
J
Brizendine
L
L
Weingartner
H
H
D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone