Finasteride‐induced depression: new insights into possible pathomechanisms

@article{Rmer2010FinasterideinducedDN,
  title={Finasteride‐induced depression: new insights into possible pathomechanisms},
  author={Benedikt R{\"o}mer and Peter Gass},
  journal={Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology},
  year={2010},
  volume={9}
}
  • B. Römer, P. Gass
  • Published 1 December 2010
  • Biology, Psychology
  • Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology
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… 
View on Wiley
zenodo.org
24 Citations
Background Citations
9
Results Citations
1

24 Citations

Citation Type

Citation Type

Allopregnanolone in mood disorders: mechanism and therapeutic development.
5α-reductase type I expression is downregulated in the prefrontal cortex/Brodmann’s area 9 (BA9) of depressed patients
TLDR
This pilot study studied the expression of 5α-RI messenger RNA (mRNA) in prefrontal cortex Brodmann’s area 9 (BA9) and cerebellum from depressed patients obtained from the Maryland Brain Collection at the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center that were age-matched with NPS.
The Impact of the 5α-Reductase Inhibitors (5α-RIs) on Male Sexual Function and Psychological Well-Being
  • A. Traish
  • Medicine, Psychology
    Current Sexual Health Reports
  • 2015
TLDR
It is imperative that clinicians give serious considerations to these adverse effects and their impact on patients’ health and engage their patients in an open and honest discussion regarding the potential harm of these agents prior to prescribing them.
The Post-finasteride Syndrome: Clinical Manifestation of Drug-Induced Epigenetics Due to Endocrine Disruption
  • A. Traish
  • Medicine, Psychology
    Current Sexual Health Reports
  • 2018
TLDR
An urgent need exists to fill the knowledge gap in physiology, pathophysiology, and clinical management of patients with post-finasteride syndrome and to promote educational and training programs to increase awareness and improve management of this condition.
Post-finasteride syndrome: An emerging clinical problem
Post-finasteride syndrome – does it really exist?
TLDR
The prolonged use of 5α-steroid reductase inhibitors in patients with alopecia can cause persistent side effects called a post-finasteride syndrome (PFS), that is not just a simple coexistence of events, but rather a definite syndrome with an iatrogenic background.
Adverse Effects and Safety of 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors (Finasteride, Dutasteride): A Systematic Review.
TLDR
A literature search reviewing adverse events of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors as they relate to prostate cancer, psychological effects, sexual health, and use in women found they were well-tolerated in both men and women, but not without risk.
Neuroactive steroids in affective disorders: target for novel antidepressant or anxiolytic drugs?
Comparative effects of D-004, Imipramine and Sertraline in the forced swimming test in mice
TLDR
D-004, a lipid extract from the real palm fruit that is effective to prevent prostatic hyperplasia by inhibiting 5 a-reductase, shows moderate antidepressant effects in the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test.
Emotional Consequences of Finasteride: Fool’s Gold
TLDR
Results provide evidence on the need to screen for psychiatric history and counseling patients about the potential psychological consequences of finasteride, and prescribing clinicians should carefully weigh the risk/benefit ratio with these patients.
...
...

References

SHOWING 1-10 OF 15 REFERENCES
Finasteride treatment inhibits adult hippocampal neurogenesis in male mice.
TLDR
Data indicate that inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase activity by finasteride treatment influences neuronal plasticity on a structural level, which might contribute to the pathophysiology of depressive episodes observed after finasterid treatment.
Finasteride induced depression: a prospective study
TLDR
This preliminary study suggests that finasteride might induce depressive symptoms; therefore this medication should be prescribed cautiously for patients with high risk of depression.
SSRIs act as selective brain steroidogenic stimulants (SBSSs) at low doses that are inactive on 5-HT reuptake.
Finasteride: The First 5α‐Reductase Inhibitor
TLDR
Its efficacy in regression of prostate gland enlargement is rapid and predictable, although correlation with subsequent improvement in urinary flow and symptoms is highly variable, and finasteride may hold promise for other DHT‐mediated disorders such as acne, facial hirsutism, frontal lobe alopecia, and prostate cancer, but its use in these conditions remains investigational.
Finasteride treatment and neuroactive steroid formation.
TLDR
In the course offinasteride treatment the decrease of the concentration of circulating steroids with known inhibitory activity on GABA-ergic excitation in the brain is very probably an important factors contributing to the development of the symptoms of depression seen in some isolated cases of finasteride administration.
Finasteride: the first 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor.
TLDR
Its efficacy in regression of prostate gland enlargement is rapid and predictable, although correlation with subsequent improvement in urinary flow and symptoms is highly variable, and finasteride may hold promise for other DHT-mediated disorders such as acne, facial hirsutism, frontal lobe alopecia, and prostate cancer, but its use in these conditions remains investigational.
A new look at the 5alpha-reductase inhibitor finasteride.
TLDR
The data suggest that endogenous neuroactive steroid levels may be inversely related to symptoms of premenstrual and postpartum dysphoric disorder, catamenial epilepsy, depression, and alcohol withdrawal.
Olanzapine counteracts stress-induced anxiety-like behavior in rats
Neurosteroids: endogenous regulators of the GABAA receptor
GABAA (γ-aminobutyric acid type A) receptors mediate most of the 'fast' synaptic inhibition in the mammalian brain and are targeted by many clinically important drugs. Certain naturally occurring…
Steroids, neuroactive steroids and neurosteroids in psychopathology
  • B. Dubrovsky
  • Biology, Medicine
    Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry
  • 2005
...
...