Member of the 1000 Post Club cat lady Posted March 21, 2008 Member of the 1000 Post Club Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 DHEAS Levels Linked to Cognitive Function in Women Reuters Health Information 2008. ? 2008 Reuters Ltd. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world. NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Mar 13 - The results of a study conducted in Australia and published in the March issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism suggest that higher circulating levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) are associated with better cognitive function in women. "There are data that suggest that DHEA and DHEAS may have neuroprotective effects and that the decline in the production of these steroids with healthy aging may contribute to neuronal dysfunction and degeneration, and thus cognitive decline," Dr. Susan Davis and colleagues from Monash University, Prahran, Victoria, write. However, evidence that higher levels of endogenous DHEA and DHEAS are associated with better cognitive function is lacking. The researchers examined the association between levels of DHEAS, a circulating storage form of DHEA and a "robust" measure of DHEA production, and cognitive function in 295 women (mean age, 55 years). The women were recruited into the community-based, cross-sectional study between September 2003 and December 2004. Women with any conditions that might adversely affect cognitive function were excluded. Dr. Davis and colleagues found that women with higher circulating levels of DHEAS performed better on executive function tests. A positive association was also observed between circulating DHEAS and higher scores on tests of simple concentration and working memory in women with more than 12 years of education. No association was found between circulating DHEAS levels and performance on tests of verbal and non-verbal learning and retention or focused attention. Favorable independent associations were also identified between cognitive performance and activities such as living with other people, doing crosswords, and playing a musical instrument. "Possible explanations for our findings include direct actions of DHEA/DHEAS via a putative DHEA receptor, via the androgen receptor, or as neurosteroids and endogenous ligands for sigma-1 receptors," Dr. Davis' team suggests. DHEAS may also be a "marker of overall potential for tissue intracrine androgen and estrogen production in women but not the actual mediator of the effect." "Alternatively, DHEAS may be simply a marker of general good health," they note. The researchers stress that they found no evidence that taking DHEA supplements, commonly sold over the counter in the US but not available in Australia, had any effect on cognitive performance. Although the clinical implications of these findings are unclear, Dr. Davis' group suggests the results "provide a strong basis for future studies designed to test the cause-and-effect nature of the relationship between serum levels of DHEAS and cognitive function in women." J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2008;93:801-808. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member of the 1000 Post Club trs Posted March 21, 2008 Member of the 1000 Post Club Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 I was found deficient in DHEAS but, my doctor told me not to take them while testing for Cushings. Does anyone know why/how it affects testing? I didn't think to ask at the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacqueline Posted March 21, 2008 Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 I tested low for DHEAS too, but my doctor said that was ok because I was a woman, it should be flagged as low, is that right?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member of the 1000 Post Club denney Posted March 21, 2008 Member of the 1000 Post Club Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 I was found deficient in DHEAS but, my doctor told me not to take them while testing for Cushings. Does anyone know why/how it affects testing? I didn't think to ask at the time. Hi Trish, If you check the path for biosynthesis in the adrenals it doesn't look like dheas comes before cortisol so might not directly affect cortisol but it might increase testosterone and estradiol which lay further down the path. In general might confuse the overall picture of what is going on in the adrenals. Especially if there is a question about any adrenal enzyme blocks or malfunctions. Nice little adrenal biosynthesis chart at the following site http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt...l%3Den%26sa%3DN den Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Over 2000 Posts conti Posted March 21, 2008 Over 2000 Posts Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 OKAY so I'm not a woman (no, just checked with a microscope) I am/was low in DHEAS, testosterone, LH and FSH,( oh yeah the doc was low in enthusiasm and humour) Don't know how male or female can be low in all of them when there is 'wrong with the patient' Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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