Supraphysiologic-dose anabolic–androgenic steroid use: A risk factor for dementia?. (May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kaufman, Marc J.; Kanayama, Gen; Hudson, James I.; Pope, Harrison G.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews. Volume 100(2019)
• Page Start: 180
• Page End: 207
• Publication Date: 2019-05
• Subjects: Aging -- Alcohol -- Alzheimer's disease -- Amyloid -- Anabolic-androgenic steroid -- ApoE -- Aquaporin 4 -- α-secretase -- β-secretase -- Body-building -- Boldenone -- Cannabis -- Cocaine -- Dementia -- Estrogen -- γ-secretase -- GSK3β -- Heroin -- Homocysteine -- Hypogonadism -- Insomnia -- Insulin Degrading enzyme -- Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein1 -- Magnetic resonance imaging -- Magnetic resonance spectroscopy -- Menopause -- Methamphetamine -- Mild Cognitive Impairment -- Morphine -- Muscularity -- N-acetylcysteine -- Nandrolone -- Neprilysin -- Neurodegeneration -- Nrf2 -- Opioid -- Oxidative stress -- Oxymetholone -- Performance-enhancing drugs -- PET imaging -- Polydrug use -- Prealbumin -- Presenilin -- Protein phosphatase 2A -- Scyllo-inositol -- Stanozolol -- tau -- Tobacco -- Sex-steroid -- Sleep disturbances -- Substance use disorder -- Testosterone -- Zinc; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Behavior -- Periodicals; Ethology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiologie -- Périodiques; Comportement humain -- Périodiques; Animaux -- Mœurs et comportement -- Périodiques; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Animal behavior; Human behavior; Neurology; Psychophysiology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 573.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.02.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-7634

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Supraphysiologic-dose anabolic-androgenic steroid use, which typically commences by the mid-20s, induces early-onset hypogonadism and excess oxidative stress. In turn, these abnormalities alter the function of many proteins involved in Aβ and tau-P synthesis and elimination. This could result in early-onset accumulation of these proteins in brain and increased risk for developing Alzheimer's Disease and its related dementias. Highlights: Supraphysiologic-dose anabolic-androgenic steroid (sAAS) use starts by the mid-20s. sAAS use occurs primarily in men aiming to increase muscularity. sAAS use causes health problems including hypogonadism & excess oxidative stress. These effects may increase synthesis & decrease elimination of Aβ & tau-P proteins. sAAS use may cause early Aβ & tau-P increases and may enhance risk for dementia. Abstract: Supraphysiologic-dose anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use is associated with physiologic, cognitive, and brain abnormalities similar to those found in people at risk for developing Alzheimer's Disease and its related dementias (AD/ADRD), which are associated with high brain β-amyloid (Aβ) and hyperphosphorylated tau (tau-P) protein levels. Supraphysiologic-dose AAS induces androgen abnormalities and excess oxidative stress, which have been linked to increased and decreased expression or activity of proteins that synthesize and eliminate, respectively, Aβ and tau-P. Aβ and tau-P accumulation may begin soon after initiating supraphysiologic-dose AAS use, which typically occurs in the early 20s, and their accumulation may be accelerated by other psychoactive substance use, which is common among non-medical AAS users. Accordingly, the widespread use of supraphysiologic-dose AAS may increase the numbers of people who develop dementia. Early diagnosis and correction of sex-steroid level abnormalities and excess oxidative stress could attenuate risk for developing AD/ADRD in supraphysiologic-dose AAS users, in people with other substance use disorders, and in people with low sex-steroid levels or excess oxidative stress associated with aging.