title: Clinical uses and misuses of dehydroepiandrosterone.
abstract: Dehydroepiandrosterone is the most abundant adrenal androgen and also functions as a neurosteroid. Serum concentrations decline with age and can serve as a prognostic factor in both critical illnesses and breast cancer progression. Evidence is accruing in support of dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation in adrenal insufficiency, hypopituitarism, osteoporosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, depression and schizophrenia. Research is ongoing at both the basic and the clinical level to elucidate mechanisms of action and establish efficacy and safety, as well as to expand new areas of potential application for this multi-faceted hormone.
authors.affiliation: Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Binello
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Gordon
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone