TLDR Finasteride may increase depression by reducing brain cell growth.
Finasteride is a drug used to treat male androgenic alopecia by inhibiting the type II isoform of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. This enzyme is involved in the metabolism of steroids, including several 5-alpha-reduced steroids that have neurotrophic, neuroprotective, and anxiolytic properties. Reduced 5-alpha-reductase activity has been observed during depressive illness in humans, and finasteride treatment has been linked to an increase in depressive symptoms. In animal studies, inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase leads to behavioral changes with an increase in depressive and anxious behaviors. A recent animal study focused on the effects of finasteride on neuronal plasticity, and found that finasteride treatment decreased adult neurogenesis in the murine hippocampus. Further controlled clinical trials are needed to investigate depressogenic effects of finasteride treatment in humans.
32 citations,
May 2010 in “Pharmacopsychiatry” Finasteride reduces new brain cells in male mice, possibly causing depression.
99 citations,
October 2006 in “BMC clinical pharmacology” Finasteride may cause slight depression and anxiety.
137 citations,
March 2006 in “Cns Drug Reviews” Finasteride treats enlarged prostate and hair loss, but may cause side effects in some patients.
129 citations,
October 2000 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Finasteride helps increase hair growth in men with hair loss.
581 citations,
October 1998 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Finasteride safely and effectively treats male pattern hair loss, but may cause reversible sexual issues and harm male fetuses.
23 citations,
July 1993 in “Pharmacotherapy” Finasteride treats enlarged prostate and baldness, but may cause limited urinary improvement and sex-related side effects.
1 citations,
March 2020 in “Journal of Pharmacological Sciences” Benzothiazepines like diltiazem reduce anxiety in mice by making neurosteroids.
22 citations,
December 2010 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” Finasteride may increase depression by reducing brain cell growth.
32 citations,
May 2010 in “Pharmacopsychiatry” Finasteride reduces new brain cells in male mice, possibly causing depression.
2 citations,
January 2010 in “Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation” Low dose finasteride decreases certain steroids, possibly increasing depression risk.
26 citations,
November 2006 in “Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior” Pregnancy reduces anxiety in rats, but finasteride reverses this effect.
137 citations,
March 2006 in “Cns Drug Reviews” Finasteride treats enlarged prostate and hair loss, but may cause side effects in some patients.
Finasteride, a medication, is being re-evaluated for its effects and uses.
30 citations,
August 1992 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Finasteride doesn't affect hormone levels in normal men.
