Psychoneuroendocrinology
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Psychoneuroendocrinology · Aug 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialSalivary cortisol and DHEA: association with measures of cognition and well-being in normal older men, and effects of three months of DHEA supplementation.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid that shows a marked age-related decline in humans. Previous research suggests potential for DHEA replacement in old age to enhance cognition and well-being. We conducted a clinical trial to test these hypotheses in a non-clinical sample of 46 men aged 62-76. ⋯ Unexpectedly, higher evening cortisol was associated with faster choice reaction time (r=-0.33; P=0.04). These findings are consistent with an impairing effect of high cortisol on episodic memory and mood in older men, which may be attenuated by DHEA. When treatment effects were analysed, no significant effects of DHEA were observed on any of the trial outcomes, providing no support for benefits of DHEA supplementation for cognition or well-being in normal older men in the shorter-term.
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Psychoneuroendocrinology · Aug 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialOpposing effects of DHEA replacement in elderly subjects on declarative memory and attention after exposure to a laboratory stressor.
Aging is accompanied by a continuous decline of the adrenal steroid hormone DHEA and its ester DHEAS. Results from studies in rodents have demonstrated that DHEA(S) administration can enhance memory in several test paradigms. However studies from this laboratory did not find positive effects of DHEA treatment on cognitive performance in young and elderly humans. ⋯ The effects of DHEA substitution on memory and attention after stress exposure seem to be heterogenous. While recall of previously learned material seems to be impaired, attention is enhanced. These results do not support the idea of a direct antiglucocorticoid or anti-stress effect of DHEA on hippocampal mediated memory functions.