DHEA: Clinical Impact on Memory
Clinically, some patients with lupus who take DHEA have reported improved mood and less generalized pain. DHEA has also been administered to people with a variety of age-related maladies, including memory loss. A major limitation is that most studies to date have involved only a handful of subjects.
German investigators recently reported that a single 300 mg dose of DHEA did not affect memory test performance in young adults. In another negative study, Kristine Yaffe, in San Francisco, found no associations between DHEA blood levels and cognitive test performance in a community sample of 394 women. On the other hand, a small uncontrolled study conducted within the NIH in Bethesda, Maryland, suggests that DHEA can treat memory loss in patients with dementia. But until the acid test of a large-scale, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial has been passed, the jury will still be out on this compound.
DHEA Side Effects Can Be Serious
DHEA’s conversion to steroid hormones underlies some of its therapeutic effects, but the same properties can lead to toxicity. DHEA raises the levels of testosterone and other male hormones, which increases the risk of prostate cancer. I strongly recommend medical evaluation and clearance by a physician, including assessment of blood prostate-specific antigen (PSA), for any middle-aged or elderly man who chooses to embark on DHEA therapy.
Another side effect is an increase in masculine features such as growth of facial hair and acne. As a result, DHEA is rarely given to women, who also risk losing scalp hair and developing a bass voice. Proper medical monitoring is essential. Daily doses of DHEA cover a range from 25 to 200 mg daily, with an average of 50 mg daily. This range is wide because some physicians adjust the dose to maintain high blood levels of
DHEA, a scientifically unproven practice.
Taken From: The Memory Program How to Prevent Memory Loss
and Enhance Memory Power
