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ABSTRACT |
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 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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