I thought I’d share some studies. I don’t fully understand them and I cannot access all of them. Just thought they would be good for ideas and discussion.
humrep.oxfordjournals.org/conten … 4.full.pdf
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22521941
Does anyone know more about this study in Germany?
Finasteride-induced depression: new insights into possible pathomechanisms.
Römer B, Gass P.
Source
Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany. benediktroemer@hotmail.com
Erratum in
J Cosmet Dermatol. 2011 Mar;10(1):85.
Abstract
5-alpha-reductase is involved as a rate-imitating enzyme in the metabolism of steroids. Several 5-alpha-reduced steroids such as dihydrotestosterone, allopregnanolone or tetrahydrocorticosterone have neurotrophic, neuroprotective, and anxiolytic properties. Reduced 5-alpha-reductase activity has been observed during depressive illness in humans. Finasteride inhibits 5-alpha-reductase and can robustly induce anxious and depressive behaviors in rodents. In humans finasteride treatment has been linked to an increase of depressive symptoms. A recent study reported that finasteride treatment inhibits hippocampal neurogenesis in mice. As hippocampal neurogenesis has been linked to emotional behavior, this could be of possible relevance for the pathophysiology of affective disorders. Further studies are needed to evaluate potential neuropsychiatric side effects of finasteride treatment in humans.
Does anyone know the hippocampus’s role in sex?
Interesting how many studies there are in Italy regarding neurosteroids, and it seems as though neurosteroids is a relatively new research avenue. Apparently MS patients also lack the neurosteroid allopregnanolone. Does anyone know, was this the only or main neurosteroid that was found to be low in PFS patients?
Neurosteroids and GABA-A receptor function
frontiersin.org/Neuroendocri … 4/abstract
The neurosteroid allopregnanolone modulates specific functions in central and peripheral glial cells
frontiersin.org/Neuroendocri … 3/abstract
Allopregnanolone, MS
medicalnewstoday.com/articles/234921.php
I know men with MS have sexual dysfunction, but I don’t know how similar it is to ours.