[Neuropsychic effects of dehydroepiandrosterone].
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulfate (DHEA-S) are secreted primarily by the adrenal glands. DHEA could also be a neuroactive steroidal hormone. Because basal levels of DHEA and DHEA-S in humans decrease significantly with age, these hormones have been assumed to be involved in the aging process and in a number of pathologies which develop with aging: immunosenescence, increased mortality, increased incidence of cancer, osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases. However, its role is still unknown. In humans, cross sectional and longitudinal studies have shown that DHEA might be associated with global measures of well-being and functioning, but positive effects on measures of memory and attention could not be found. Studies investigating DHEA and DHEA-S levels in dementia have produced controversial results. Short-term experimental studies have not shown significant improvement in global measures of well-being and functioning in healthy subjects but have revealed preliminary evidence for mood enhancing and antidepressant effects of DHEA. There is no evidence that DHEA could induce addiction in human beings.
Rigaud
A S
AS
Service de Médecine Interne et de Gérontologie, Hôpital Broca, CHU Cochin Port-Royal, Université René-Descartes - Paris-V, 54-56, rue Pascal, 75013 Paris.
Pellerin
J
J
D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology*; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000172:deficiency / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003704:Dementia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000209:etiology
D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate