Is Dutasteride a Therapeutic Alternative for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis?

    August 2022 in “ Biomedicines ”
    Belén Proaño, Julia Casani-Cubel, María Benlloch, Ana Rodriguez-Mateos, Esther Navarro-Illana, Jose María Lajara-Romance, José Enrique de la Rubia Ortí
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    TLDR Dutasteride, usually used for prostate issues and hair loss, could potentially treat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) due to its neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, but more testing is needed.
    The document reviews the potential of Dutasteride, traditionally used for benign prostatic hyperplasia and androgenic alopecia, as a treatment for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Dutasteride inhibits type 1 and type 2 5α-reductase enzymes, which may increase progesterone and testosterone levels, hormones known to have neuroprotective effects. The drug shows promising anti-ALS properties, including neuroprotection, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, and effectiveness against glutamate toxicity. It may also restore altered dopamine activity and interact favorably with the TDP-43 protein, mutations of which are related to ALS. However, more clinical studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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