Analysis of neurosteroid levels in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Strous, Rael D.; Spivak, Baruch; Yoran-Hegesh, Roni; Maayan, Rachel; Averbuch, Elena; Kotler, Moshe; Mester, Roberto; Weizman, Abraham

doi:10.1017/s1461145701002462

Cited by 69 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…In addition to serving as a precursor to testosterone and estrogen, DHEA and its sulfated metabolite, DHEA-S, likely have important biological roles and may be involved in regulating mood and a sense of wellbeing (for a review, see Wolkowitz et al 2001). Although this is the first report of increased DHEA concentration after acute alcohol exposure in humans, elevated DHEA and/or DHEA-S concentrations have been reported among individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; Spivak et al 2000), major depression , and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; Strous et al 2001), as well as anorexia and bulimia (Monteleone et al 2001). Further, several studies have shown higher DHEA and DHEA-S levels in nicotine-dependent subjects (Feldman et al 1998;Field et al 1994).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Subjective effects and changes in steroid hormone concentrations in humans following acute consumption of alcohol

et al. 2005

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Background: GABA A receptors are an important site of action of endogenous neurosteroids and an important mediator of several behavioral effects of alcohol. This study examined the effects of alcohol on plasma steroid hormone concentrations on the hypothesis that the endocrine effects mediate some of the subjective effects of alcohol. Methods: Thirty-two healthy subjects (17 men) with no history of a substance use disorder participated in this human laboratory study. All subjects consumed three standard drinks of grain alcohol. Subjective measures and blood samples for steroid concentrations were collected at baseline and 40 min after alcohol consumption. Results: Alcohol increased self-reported stimulation, alcohol liking, and desire for more alcohol. Alcohol also increased pregnenolone (PREG) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) concentrations, while it decreased progesterone (PROG) and allopregnanolone (ALLO) concentrations, as well as ALLO/PREG and PROG/PREG ratios. In men, the change in PREG concentration was significantly correlated with alcohol liking, while the alcohol-induced change in ALLO concentration correlated significantly with both alcohol liking and desire for more alcohol. Discussion: These findings provide preliminary support for the hypothesis that endogenous neurosteroids mediate some of the subjective effects of alcohol. Efforts to replicate these findings should aim to specify more clearly the nature and time course of the effects.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Subjective effects and changes in steroid hormone concentrations in humans following acute consumption of alcohol

et al. 2005

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“…In addition, levels of DHEA and DHEA-S were found to inversely correlate with hyperactivity. Interestingly, higher blood levels of DHEA and DHEA-S were associated with fewer ADHD symptoms [24]. Since our previous findings suggest a possible protective effect of DHEA and DHEA-S on the expression of ADHD symptomatology, it would be interesting to investigate any effect on these neurosteroids after methylphenidate treatment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Three-Month Treatment Course of Methylphenidate Increases Plasma Levels of Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and Dehydroepiandrosterone-Sulfate (DHEA-S) in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

et al. 2003

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Methylphenidate is considered by many to be the treatment of choice for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methylphenidate exerts its therapeutic effects through the dopaminergic, serotonergic and noradrenergic systems, however its effects on other neurophysiological systems, such as the neurosteroidal system, remain unknown. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate ester (DHEA-S) are neuroactive steroids with effects on several neurophysiological and behavioral processes. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of 3 months of treatment with methylphenidate on circulatory DHEA, DHEA-S, and cortisol in children with ADHD. The study population consisted of 15 boys (aged 11.5 ± 1.6 years) with ADHD, combined type. Subjects were evaluated before and after methylphenidate treatment with a specific rating scale for the assessment of inattention and impulsivity in ADHD. Results show that treatment led to significant clinical improvement in all subjects. Furthermore, following 3 months of treatment, there was a significant increase in serum levels of DHEA and DHEA-S but not in circulatory levels of cortisol. The mean rate of increase in DHEA levels was 23 and 53.6% in DHEA-S. Our findings suggest that DHEA and DHEA-S may play a role in the therapeutic effects of methylphenidate. Several mechanisms to explain this action are proposed, including involvement of the serotonergic, GABA-ergic and noradrenergic pathways.

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“…Previous papers have reported that clinical symptomatology and plasma levels of DHEA are inversely correlated in ADHD patients. For example, plasma levels of DHEA and DHEA-S were inversely correlated with hyperactivity symptoms in ADHD patients [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…DHEA and DHEA-S have been reported to have multiple effects on the central nervous system (CNS), affecting memory, long-term potentiation, anxiety, and mood [4]. A relationship between ADHD and neurosteroid levels has been suggested by previous studies [5,6]. DHEA-S is known to increase the catecholamine levels (dopamine and norepinephrine) [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Methylphenidate and Bupropion on DHEA-S and Cortisol Plasma Levels in Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Lee

Yang

et al. 2007

Child Psychiatry Hum Dev

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We evaluated plasma levels of DHEA-S and cortisol before and after treating ADHD patients with one of two medications: methylphenidate (n = 12) or bupropion (n = 10). Boys with ADHD (combined type) were evaluated with the Korean ADHD rating scale (K-ARS) and the computerized ADHD diagnostic system (ADS). All assessments were measured at baseline and repeated after 12 weeks. There were significant clinical improvements in both treatment groups as measured by K-ARS and ADS. DHEA-S levels increased from baseline to endpoint, but cortisol levels did not change significantly. This study suggests that both methylphenidate and bupropion increase plasma levels of DHEA-S in boys with ADHD.

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Analysis of neurosteroid levels in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Cited by 69 publications

References 19 publications

Subjective effects and changes in steroid hormone concentrations in humans following acute consumption of alcohol

Subjective effects and changes in steroid hormone concentrations in humans following acute consumption of alcohol

Three-Month Treatment Course of Methylphenidate Increases Plasma Levels of Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and Dehydroepiandrosterone-Sulfate (DHEA-S) in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Effects of Methylphenidate and Bupropion on DHEA-S and Cortisol Plasma Levels in Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

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