Neuropsychological Assessment in Elderly Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Treated with Dutasteride

October 2018 in “ Clinical Drug Investigation ”

Antonino Catalano, Gabriella Martino, Federica Bellone, Maria Papalia, Carmen Lasco, Giorgio Basile, Alberto Sardella, Giacomo Nicocia, Nunziata Morabito, Antonino Lasco

dutasteride benign prostatic hyperplasia Avodart BPH

TLDR Dutasteride does not impair mental function in elderly men with enlarged prostate.

The study examined the potential neuropsychological effects of dutasteride, a drug used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), on elderly men. It included 40 participants with an average age of 71.4 years, split into two groups: one receiving dutasteride and a control group not on the medication. After administering various neuropsychological tests, the researchers found no significant differences in outcomes between the two groups, suggesting that dutasteride does not cause neuropsychological impairment. Despite the study's small sample size and cross-sectional design, the findings indicate that dutasteride is mentally safe for treating BPH in elderly men, but further research is recommended to confirm these results.

View this study on link.springer.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

9 / 9 results

research The Risk of Dementia with the Use of 5 Alpha Reductase Inhibitors

18 citations, June 2017 in “Journal of the neurological sciences”

Using 5 alpha reductase inhibitors may increase dementia risk in the first two years.

research Neuroactive Steroid Levels and Psychiatric and Andrological Features in Post-Finasteride Patients

58 citations, April 2017 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology”

Post-finasteride patients show changed neuroactive steroid levels, possibly causing erectile dysfunction and depression.

research Association of Suicidality and Depression With 5α-Reductase Inhibitors

90 citations, March 2017 in “JAMA Internal Medicine”

Men over 66 taking medication for prostate enlargement have a higher risk of depression and self-harm, especially in the first 18 months of treatment.

Neuroactive Steroid Levels Are Modified in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma of Post-Finasteride Patients Showing Persistent Sexual Side Effects and Anxious/Depressive Symptomatology

research Neuroactive Steroid Levels Are Modified in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma of Post-Finasteride Patients Showing Persistent Sexual Side Effects and Anxious/Depressive Symptomatology

73 citations, July 2013 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

Finasteride use changes brain chemicals, causing lasting sexual issues and anxiety/depression.

research Steroid 5α-Reductase as a Novel Therapeutic Target for Schizophrenia and Other Neuropsychiatric Disorders

72 citations, January 2011 in “Current Pharmaceutical Design”

S5αR inhibitors might help treat schizophrenia and other mental disorders but need more research.

Adverse Side Effects of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Therapy: Persistent Diminished Libido, Erectile Dysfunction, and Depression in a Subset of Patients

research Adverse Side Effects of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Therapy: Persistent Diminished Libido, Erectile Dysfunction, and Depression in a Subset of Patients

223 citations, December 2010 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

Some patients taking finasteride or dutasteride may have ongoing sexual problems and depression even after stopping the medication.

The Importance of Dual 5α-Reductase Inhibition in the Treatment of Male Pattern Hair Loss: Results of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study of Dutasteride Versus Finasteride

research The Importance of Dual 5α-Reductase Inhibition in the Treatment of Male Pattern Hair Loss: Results of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study of Dutasteride Versus Finasteride

215 citations, November 2006 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Dutasteride more effective for hair growth, but has more side effects than finasteride.

research A New Look at the 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride

137 citations, March 2006 in “Cns Drug Reviews”

Finasteride treats enlarged prostate and hair loss, but may cause side effects in some patients.

research Clinical Application of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors

46 citations, March 2001 in “Journal of endocrinological investigation”

5α-reductase inhibitors, like finasteride and dutasteride, effectively treat BPH, male baldness, and hirsutism, with potential for acne and prostate cancer prevention.

Related Research

4 / 4 results

Neuropsychological Assessment in Elderly Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Treated with Dutasteride

Neuropsychological Assessment in Elderly Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Treated with Dutasteride

Research cited in this study

research The Risk of Dementia with the Use of 5 Alpha Reductase Inhibitors

research Neuroactive Steroid Levels and Psychiatric and Andrological Features in Post-Finasteride Patients

research Association of Suicidality and Depression With 5α-Reductase Inhibitors

research Neuroactive Steroid Levels Are Modified in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma of Post-Finasteride Patients Showing Persistent Sexual Side Effects and Anxious/Depressive Symptomatology

research Steroid 5α-Reductase as a Novel Therapeutic Target for Schizophrenia and Other Neuropsychiatric Disorders

research Adverse Side Effects of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Therapy: Persistent Diminished Libido, Erectile Dysfunction, and Depression in a Subset of Patients

research The Importance of Dual 5α-Reductase Inhibition in the Treatment of Male Pattern Hair Loss: Results of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study of Dutasteride Versus Finasteride

research A New Look at the 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride

research Clinical Application of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors

Related Community Posts Join

community I bought 72 packages of Dutasteride

community Hair Loss Drugs Ranked in Order of Efficacy

community COMPLETE OVERVIEW of the Treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men

community There is simply no way to get finasteride in Germany

community From the research study: "Dihydrotestosterone and the concept of 5a-reductase inhibition in human benign prostatic hyperplasia" - G. Bartsch, R.S. Rittmaster, H. Klocker (2002) in the "World Journal of Urology".

community Dutasteride takes 1-3 months to work in the scalp. Not weeks. Be careful.

Related Research

research Neuropsychological Assessment in Elderly Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Treated with Dutasteride

research Effect of Dutasteride 0.5 mg/day in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia Recalcitrant to Finasteride

research The Role of Dutasteride in the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Obstruction and Related Conditions

research Comparison of Clinical Trials with Finasteride and Dutasteride