An article on 5AR inhibitors and the brain

[Felk]

Does anyone feel like shedding some light on the issues raised in this article about 5AR inhibitors and the brain? I know the source isn't a medical journal, but i remember docj007 talking about it a while ago, and Bryan and others saying it was by no means a new concern.

http://forum.mesomorphosis.com/mens-hea ... 45778.html

I think these drugs have had an effect on my memory, so I'm a little concerned. Yes, i appreciate that it may well be a placebo, and that's what I've told myself many times. But it's recurred and bothered me enough for me to really want to know more.

I'm not fear mongering here at all, and any of that is certainly unwelcome in this thread. Intelligent discussion is all I'm interested in.

 

[docj077]

Two pieces of this article seemed important to me.

"5 alpha reductase (5AR) is an enzyme which comes in two forms, type I
and type II. It not only converts testosterone (T) to
dihydrotestosterone (DHT, a ketone), it also converts progesterone to
allopregnanolone and deoxycorticosterone (Doctor) to tetrahydroDOC (THDOC),
both allosteric enhancers of the GABA(a) receptor (e.g., they increase
the effectiveness of inhibition signals relayed along GABA channels in
nerves). The second stage of this conversion is performed by
3alpha-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase."


The information regarding how 5AR inhibitors affect the eventual synthesis of allopregnanolone is something that we already knew. However, I've always read that allopregnanolone and Doctor are neuroactive. I've never read what they actually do. If they do indeed activate the GABA receptor, then they have a similar mechanism of action to benzodiazapines like valium. That would explain their ability to prevent seizures and decrease the chance alzheimer's disease as both processes can be associated with too much cortical activity. GABA activity inhibits excitatory neurons.



"SSRIs (antidepressants like Zoloft) have been shown to upregulate levels
of progesterone and allopregnanolone (THP) [PMID 12957330] as well as
neurogenesis [PMID 14872203, 15001810, 14512209]. In animal models it¹s
the hippocampal neurogenesis that accounts for the behavioral effects of
SSRIs [PMID 12907793]. Conversely, inescapable stress which reduces
hippocampal neurogenesis also causes depression [PMID 12838272]."


This part interested me, as well. I've been aware of the hippocampal degeneration and the effect of SSRIs on the healing of this region of the brain for a long time. In fact, this process is proof that depression isn't just "all in your head." However, I was not aware that the above molecules may play a role in neurogenesis and hippocampal repair.



I know that I just didn't feel right on finasteride and I never get a "placebo effect" with any drug that I take. I also had problems with hyperthyroidism while on the drug. We'll just have to see where future studies in this area lead us. Obviously, your hair is not ever more important the safety and security of your neurons and the long term impact of overexciting them with 5AR inhibitors.

 

[Jacobo]

Doctor,

We have just 5ar1 in the brain (or that is what I understand after lurking these forums). But Finasteride just affects 5ar2. Why does it affect our brain then? (if it does). Am I missing something here? All those "hormone conversions" do they occur outside the brain and then travel there? Sorry for the layman approach. Does it exist any study about mental health of those pseudohermaphrodytes from Dominican Republic?

 

[Pondle]

The study doesn't look like a very reliable source. "Kofi at the UN"??? WTF?

 

[stax]

A product called P Seven will increase pregenolone and that should increase allopregnenolone levels. This is the main worry regarding finasteride/dutasteride in this article.


https://www.anafit.com/shop/product_inf ... 83480e6df6