The Steroidogenesis Inhibitor Finasteride Reduces the Response to Both Stressful and Rewarding Stimuli

November 2019 in “ Biomolecules ”

Sean C. Godar, Roberto Cadeddu, Gabriele Floris, Laura J. Mosher, Zhen Mi, David P. Jarmolowicz, Simona Scheggi, Alicia A. Walf, Carolyn J. Koonce, Cheryl A. Frye, Nancy A. Muma, Marco Bortolato

finasteride steroidogenesis inhibitor corticotropin release hormone CRH adrenocorticotropic hormone ACTH hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis HPA axis Propecia

Studysummary This study found that finasteride impaired stress reactivity and reduced exploratory and impulsive behaviors in rats, potentially by altering the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis function.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The steroidogenesis inhibitor finasteride, commonly used to treat hair loss and benign prostatic hyperplasia, has been found to reduce the response to both stressful and rewarding stimuli in rats. The drug was found to reduce exploratory, incentive, prosocial, and risk-taking behavior, as well as stress coping, in rats. The effects of finasteride on stress reactivity were associated with a decrease in corticotropin release hormone (CRH) mRNA and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels, suggesting that finasteride impairs stress reactivity and reduces behavioral activation and impulsive behavior by altering the function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The study suggests that finasteride may have effects beyond its intended use and highlights the potential impact of finasteride on mental health.

View this study on mdpi.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

33 / 33 results

research Post-Finasteride Syndrome

11 citations , August 2019 in “BMJ”

This article reviews ongoing concerns about the safety of 5α-reductase inhibitors like finasteride, highlighting the lack of long-term data on persistent depression and sexual side effects after drug discontinuation; no new clinical results are reported.

research Repeated Finasteride Administration Induces Depression-Like Behavior in Adult Male Rats

19 citations , March 2019 in “Behavioural Brain Research”

This study found that repeated finasteride administration in male Wistar rats led to increased depression-like behavior, suggesting an animal model for investigating finasteride's neuropsychiatric effects is viable.

Treatment of Male Rats with Finasteride, an Inhibitor of 5alpha-Reductase Enzyme, Induces Long-Lasting Effects on Depressive-Like Behavior, Hippocampal Neurogenesis, Neuroinflammation, and Gut Microbiota Composition

research Treatment of Male Rats with Finasteride, an Inhibitor of 5alpha-Reductase Enzyme, Induces Long-Lasting Effects on Depressive-Like Behavior, Hippocampal Neurogenesis, Neuroinflammation, and Gut Microbiota Composition

37 citations , September 2018 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology”

This study found that finasteride treatment in male rats led to enduring effects on depressive-like behavior, hippocampal neurogenesis and neuroinflammation, and gut microbiota composition after withdrawal.

Research Brief: Self-Reports of Persistent Antiandrogenic, Estrogenic, Physical, and Psychological Effects of Finasteride Usage Among Men

research Research Brief: Self-Reports of Persistent Antiandrogenic, Estrogenic, Physical, and Psychological Effects of Finasteride Usage Among Men

9 citations , January 2018 in “American Journal of Men's Health”

This study analyzed self-reports from discussion forums to categorize and understand adverse effects experienced by individuals using finasteride, suggesting a need for further investigation into post-finasteride syndrome.

research The Neurosteroidogenic Enzyme 5α-Reductase Mediates Psychotic-Like Complications of Sleep Deprivation

27 citations , January 2017 in “Neuropsychopharmacology”

This study found that acute sleep deprivation enhanced 5α-reductase expression and activity in the rat prefrontal cortex, and finasteride treatment reduced associated psychosis- and mania-like behaviors.

research Exploring the Neural Mechanisms of Finasteride: A Proteomic Analysis in the Nucleus Accumbens

14 citations , October 2016 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology”

This study identified significant changes in the expression of nine proteins in the nucleus accumbens of rats treated with finasteride, suggesting potential novel targets for its neuropsychiatric effects.

research Emotional Consequences of Finasteride: Fool’s Gold

31 citations , February 2016 in “American Journal of Men's Health”

This study found that nearly half of men using finasteride reported clinically significant depression, highlighting the need for psychiatric screening and careful risk assessment by prescribing clinicians.

research The Neurosteroidogenic Enzyme 5α-Reductase Modulates the Role of D1 Dopamine Receptors in Rat Sensorimotor Gating

49 citations , September 2015 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology”

This study suggests that the 5α-reductase inhibitor finasteride modulates sensorimotor gating in rats by affecting D1 and D3 receptors, but not D2 receptors, with varying effects based on genetic strain.

research Adverse Effects of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors: What Do We Know, Don't Know, and Need to Know?

111 citations , August 2015 in “Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders”

5α-reductase inhibitors may cause persistent sexual dysfunction and depression, needing more research on long-term effects.

research Persistent Sexual, Emotional, and Cognitive Impairment Post-Finasteride

81 citations , June 2014 in “American Journal of Men's Health”

This study highlights that adverse effects from finasteride may persist in men after discontinuation, indicating a potential "post-finasteride syndrome.

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”

This study observed that androgenic alopecia patients taking finasteride had altered neuroactive steroid levels and persistent depression symptoms even after stopping the treatment.

research Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Thoughts Among Former Users of Finasteride With Persistent Sexual Side Effects

134 citations , August 2012 in “The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry”

This study found that former finasteride users with persistent sexual side effects reported significantly higher rates of depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts compared to controls.

research Finasteride Attenuates Pathological Gambling in Patients With Parkinson's Disease

35 citations , April 2012 in “Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology”

Finasteride reduces gambling symptoms in Parkinson's patients.

research The 5 Alpha-Reductase Isozyme Family: A Review of Basic Biology and Their Role in Human Diseases

218 citations , December 2011 in “Advances in Urology”

This review discusses the biochemical properties and clinical significance of 5 alpha-reductase isozymes and reports no new clinical results.

research Neurosteroidogenesis Is Required for the Physiological Response to Stress: Role of Neurosteroid-Sensitive GABA-A Receptors

248 citations , December 2011 in “Journal of Neuroscience”

This study demonstrated that stress-derived neurosteroid THDOC shifts from inhibiting to activating the HPA axis under stress, presenting potential therapeutic targets for stress-related disorders.

research Inhibition of 5α-Reductase in the Nucleus Accumbens Counters Sensorimotor Gating Deficits Induced by Dopaminergic Activation

53 citations , October 2011 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology”

Finasteride may help improve certain brain function issues linked to dopamine.

research A Preliminary Study of Finasteride in Tourette Syndrome

46 citations , May 2011 in “Movement Disorders”

This article contains additional supporting information available online but presents no new research findings.

research Isolation Rearing-Induced Reduction of Brain 5α-Reductase Expression: Relevance to Dopaminergic Impairments

48 citations , January 2011 in “Neuropharmacology”

Isolation stress in rats reduces brain enzyme levels, affecting dopamine function.

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

72 citations , January 2011 in “Current Pharmaceutical Design”

This review discusses the potential role of steroid 5α-reductase inhibitors in treating neuropsychiatric disorders related to dopaminergic hyperreactivity but reports no new clinical results.

research 3α-Androstanediol, But Not Testosterone, Attenuates Age-Related Decrements in Cognitive, Anxiety, and Depressive Behavior of Male Rats

63 citations , January 2010 in “Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience”

This study found that 3alpha-diol, an androgen metabolite, improved cognitive and affective performance in aged male rats, suggesting its role in countering age-related decline in hippocampally-influenced behaviors.

research Finasteride Treatment and Neuroactive Steroid Formation

9 citations , January 2009 in “PubMed”

This study found that finasteride treatment in men with benign prostate hyperplasia significantly altered steroid hormone profiles and may contribute to depressive symptoms by affecting neuroactive steroid levels.

research Antipsychotic-Like Properties of 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitors

64 citations , March 2008 in “Neuropsychopharmacology”

research Studies on Neurosteroids XXV: Influence of a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor, Finasteride, on Rat Brain Neurosteroid Levels and Metabolism

61 citations , January 2008 in “Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin”

In this study, finasteride dose-dependently inhibited stress-induced increases in allopregnanolone in rats, while enhancing 20alpha-reduction of progesterone without affecting 3alpha-dihydroprogesterone or 11-deoxycorticosterone levels.

research Treatment of Tourette’s Syndrome With Finasteride

42 citations , December 2007 in “American Journal of Psychiatry”

This study examined finasteride, a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, for treating a Tourette’s syndrome patient unresponsive to traditional therapy, noting its limited side effects.

research Finasteride Induced Depression: A Prospective Study

99 citations , October 2006 in “BMC clinical pharmacology”

This preliminary study suggests that finasteride might cause depressive symptoms, indicating the need for cautious prescription in patients at high risk for depression.

research Finasteride Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss

108 citations , March 2006 in “Archives of Dermatology”

This study observed that 62% of premenopausal women with female pattern hair loss reported improvement when treated with oral finasteride and an oral contraceptive containing drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol.

research Finasteride Treatment of Patterned Hair Loss in Normoandrogenic Postmenopausal Women

72 citations , January 2004 in “Dermatology”

This study found that oral finasteride, at a dosage of 2.5 mg/day or more, may improve hair growth and appearance in postmenopausal women with pattern hair loss, without adverse effects.

research The Benefits of Finasteride for Hirsute Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or Idiopathic Hirsutism

40 citations , January 2003 in “Gynecological Endocrinology”

This study found that finasteride significantly reduced hirsutism in women with idiopathic hirsutism or polycystic ovary syndrome over six months, suggesting its potential effectiveness for this condition.

research Depression Related to Finasteride Administration for Androgenetic Alopecia

88 citations , October 2002 in “Journal of Dermatology”

In this study, 19 patients treated with finasteride for androgenetic alopecia developed moderate to severe depression, which resolved after stopping the medication, suggesting an association between finasteride and mood disturbances.

research The Effects of Finasteride on Scalp Skin and Serum Androgen Levels in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

65 citations , October 1999 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In this study, finasteride doses as low as 0.2 mg per day significantly reduced both scalp skin and serum DHT levels in men with androgenetic alopecia.

Effects of the 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride on Serum Levels of Gonadal, Adrenal, and Hypophyseal Hormones and Its Clinical Significance: A Prospective Clinical Study

research Effects of the 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride on Serum Levels of Gonadal, Adrenal, and Hypophyseal Hormones and Its Clinical Significance: A Prospective Clinical Study

56 citations , April 1998 in “Steroids”

Finasteride reduces hair loss and treats BPH without major hormone changes, but may cause sexual dysfunction.

research Clinical and Endocrine Effects of Finasteride, a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor, in Women with Idiopathic Hirsutism

70 citations , August 1995 in “Fertility and Sterility”

In this study, women with idiopathic hirsutism who took finasteride for 9 months experienced a significant reduction in hirsutism scores compared to those receiving a placebo, with minimal side effects.

research Four-Amino Acid Segment in Steroid 5 Alpha-Reductase 1 Confers Sensitivity to Finasteride, a Competitive Inhibitor

83 citations , April 1992 in “Journal of Biological Chemistry”

Four-amino acid part makes enzyme sensitive to finasteride.