The Comparative Effects Between Long-Term and Short-Term Treatment of Finasteride on Anxiety-Like and Depression-Like Behaviors in Early Senescent Male Rats

This study investigated the effects of long-term versus short-term treatment with Finasteride, a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, on anxiety-like and depression-like behaviors in early senescent male rats induced by d-galactose. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were used, with some receiving long-term treatment (6 weeks) and others short-term treatment (2 weeks followed by a 4-week withdrawal). The study found that both treatments improved metabolic parameters and anxiety-related behaviors, but long-term treatment was more effective in reducing depression-like behaviors. This was attributed to a greater reduction in brain inflammation, oxidative stress, and brain senescence markers in the long-term treatment group.