could someone explain me why propecia induces depression? what are the mechanisms?
thank you
this post is several medical publications which relate the link between depression and propecia.
But it is not an explanation.
What’s happening in the brain which causes depression ?
thank
Read the full text of the 2nd article:
pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articl … id=1622749
Selected bits:
“Animal studies suggested that finasteride could alter 5alpha-reductase activity in some regions of the brain, and lead to behavioral and mood changes. It has been shown that finasteride is able to inhibit 5alpha-reductase in medial basal hypothalamus in pregnant rats, and induce behavioral changes [13]. Significant inhibition of hypothalamic and pituitary 5alpha-reductase is also noticed in adult male rats [14]. In addition to animal studies, although there are some case reports suggesting finasteride induction of depressive symptoms and anxiety in humans, [15] but no prospective study has been carried out, in order to investigate finasteride behavioral effects. In the present study, we have investigated any depressive symptoms or anxiety induced by finasteride administration, in the patients with diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia.”
5alpha-reductase is a critical enzyme in the conversion of several steroids such as testosterone, progesterone, aldosterone and corticosterone in the brain. This enzyme converts testosterone to the most natural potent androgen DHT, and also it acts an important role in conversion of progesterone to dihhydroprogesterone (DHP). DHP is further converted to allopregnanolone (5alpha, 3alpha-tetrahydroprogesterone) by 3alpha-HSD [9,21]. Allopregnanolone is a modulator of gamma amino butyric acid type A receptor (GABA-A), and increases chloride conductance. This neurosteroid has been found to exert anti-convulsant, anesthetic and anxiolytic effects [22-24]. Moreover, change in the levels of allopregnanolone is found to be associated with depressive disorders. [25,26]
Our results are in agreement with the past published reports [15], and indicate that finasteride might induce depressive symptoms. The 95% confidence interval, for the difference in the means of the BDI scores, was ranging from 0.34 to 1.04. This shows that the overall change induced by finasteride is minimal, but statistically significant. Anxiety scores were also increased, but the difference was not significant.
A decline in serum DHT level occurs after finasteride administration [27]. This may contribute to finasteride induced depression. Some studies have been shown that serum DHT level, which is in equilibrium with the brain [28], is inversely associated with depression. A study by Barrett-Connor E. et al. showed that BDI scores were inversely associated with bioavailable testosterone and DHT level [29]. Furthermore, it was found that DHT had anti-depressant effects on behavior of male rats and its replacement in castrated rats was able to partially decrease the immobility behavior, which is indicative of depression [30].
Finasteride induced psychiatric dysfunction can also be attributed to its inhibitory effect on androgen and steroid 5alpha-reduction in the brain. Animal studies suggest that finasteride has inhibitory effects on 5alpha-reduction of testosterone and progesterone in the brain and inhibits the formation of allopregnanolone [31,32]. Allopregnanolone has an important role in depressive disorders [26]. In 1998 Romeo E. et al, revealed that episodes of unipolar major depressive disorder in men is associated with a decline in the plasma concentrations of allopregnanolone [25]. Furthermore, a study carried out by Uzunova V. et al. showed that CSF levels of allopregnanolone were significantly lower in depressed patients, and there was negative correlation between allopregnanolone levels in CSF and HAM-D scores. [33].
Since finasteride is a potent 5AR type2 inhibitor and the predominant isoform of the enzyme in human brain is 5AR type1 [34,35], some points should be noted concerning finasteride inhibitory effect on brain steroid metabolism. (i) Although finasteride is a potent 5AR type2 inhibitor, but it has also some inhibitory effects on 5AR type1 [36]. (ii) Finasteride administration in humans has been reported to be associated with some behavioral and mental disorders related to low levels of allopregnanolone in the brain [37]. This may also improve the concept of brain allopregnanolone suppression by finasteride in humans.
Also read through this, including the last post I made (study abstract).
thank you
that means that depression induced by propecia is not linked with a lack of serotonin
Just out of curiosity, is depression mentioned as a side effect by Merck? This too would be a good addition to a potential law suit. My doc had some kind of computer program with known sides and it had depression listed…
those articles are interesseting but don’t explain the causes of depression.
I think the depression is caused with a too much higher level of Cortisol which causes depression.
search on google cortisol and depression and you will see
Hmmm, the one I highlighted proposes a mechanism behind the Fin-induced depression (depleted Allopregnanolone thanks to Fin blocking 5AR reduction of Progesterone --> Allopregnanolone):
“… finasteride has inhibitory effects on 5alpha-reduction of testosterone and progesterone in the brain and inhibits the formation of allopregnanolone.”
“… Moreover, change in the levels of allopregnanolone is found to be associated with depressive disorders”
"…episodes of unipolar major depressive disorder in men is associated with a decline in the plasma concentrations of allopregnanolone "
“… Finasteride administration in humans has been reported to be associated with some behavioral and mental disorders related to low levels of allopregnanolone in the brain”
Not sure where you don’t see the connection.
And interestingly, this brain fog tends to persist after stopping dosage just as well as impotence. The question is why?..
Now THAT is a good question. Perhaps rapid changes in the ratio of Prog/All.
a depression is caused by a lack of serotonin or dopamin
High level of cortisol reduces production of serotonin.
Lack of Testotoren reduces production of dopamin
allopregn. is linked with Gaba, not with thoses neurotransmitters
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