Age-Related Changes in Brain and Pituitary 5α-Reductase with Finasteride (Proscar) Treatment

July 1995 in “ Neurobiology of Aging ”

Edwin D. Lephart

finasteride Proscar 5α-reductase DHT 5α-dihydrotestosterone ventral prostate pituitary central nervous system Propecia DHT

TLDR Finasteride affects prostate weights and pituitary activity differently with age.

This document is a scientific study from 27 years ago that investigated the effects of finasteride (Proscar) on brain and pituitary 5α-reductase activity in male rats of different ages. The study found that finasteride treatment significantly decreased ventral prostate weights, while finasteride plus 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) treatment increased them. Additionally, finasteride plus DHT treatment significantly decreased pituitary, but not brain, 5α-reductase activity. The study suggests that a different mechanism may regulate 5α-reductase with the aging of the central nervous system and pituitary.

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Research cited in this study

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Altered Brain And Pituitary Androgen Metabolism By Prenatal, Perinatal Or Pre- And Postnatal Finasteride, Flutamide Or Dihydrotestosterone Treatment In Juvenile Male Rats

research Altered Brain And Pituitary Androgen Metabolism By Prenatal, Perinatal Or Pre- And Postnatal Finasteride, Flutamide Or Dihydrotestosterone Treatment In Juvenile Male Rats

26 citations, November 1993 in “Progress in Neuro-psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry”

Treatment during development affects hormone balance and sexual behavior in male rats.

research The Clinical Development of a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor, Finasteride

211 citations, November 1990 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology”

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in Research/Science 105 upvotes 3 years ago

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research Effect of Finasteride, a 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, on Serum Gonadotropins in Normal Men

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Finasteride doesn't affect hormone levels in normal men.